Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has spoken openly about the circumstances that led to her resignation from the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was the work of “powerful enemies” within government who wanted her out.
Adeosun made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s programme Inside Sources, scheduled to air on Friday. An excerpt of the interview was shown on Thursday during a news bulletin, where she reflected on the controversy that ended her time in office.
In 2018, Adeosun resigned as finance minister after allegations surfaced that she submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate as part of her credentials. The issue quickly became a national scandal and dominated public discourse at the time.
Speaking in the interview, Adeosun said the certificate controversy was used as an opportunity by people she described as influential enemies in the Buhari-led government. According to her, these individuals saw the issue as a convenient way to remove her from office.
She revealed that before resigning, she personally informed President Buhari of the situation and also told him of her intention to go to court to clear her name. Adeosun said she felt it was impossible to remain in the cabinet while taking legal action against the federal government.
“I’m not confused about the fact that I had powerful enemies who saw an opportunity and said, ‘Let’s get rid of her,’” she said. “No one resigned in finance, but I did.”
Adeosun recalled Buhari supporting her decision, stressing the importance of protecting one’s name and legacy. She explained that the former president agreed it was better to step aside and fight the case than stay in office at all costs.
In July 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Adeosun could not be penalised or disqualified from holding public office over the NYSC issue. The court also stated that she was under no obligation to present an NYSC certificate to occupy a public position in Nigeria, although it did not make a pronouncement on the alleged forgery itself.
Years after her resignation, Adeosun’s comments have reopened conversations about power struggles within government and the personal costs of public service in Nigeria.
