NYSC CERTIFICATE SCANDAL: COALITION CALLS ON FG TO INVESTIGATE NLRC CHAIRMAN GBAJABIAMILA

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The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace and Good Governance has demanded an urgent probe into allegations that Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), lacks a valid National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the coalition’s convener, Comrade Isa Yakubu, voiced serious concerns over claims that Gbajabiamila did not fulfill the mandatory NYSC requirement—an essential criterion for Nigerian graduates under 30 seeking public office.

Yakubu stressed that the NYSC certificate is not only a legal necessity but also a symbol of national service and unity, and its absence undermines public trust.

The coalition urged the National Assembly, security agencies, the Ministry of Youth Development, and the NYSC to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

They also pledged to closely monitor developments and push for accountability, emphasizing that all public officials must be held to the same standards under the law.

Yakubu said: “We, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace and Good Governance, express profound concern over recent revelations regarding the qualifications of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. It has come to our attention that Mr. Gbajabiamila may not possess a valid National Youth Service Corps certificate, a compulsory requirement for Nigerian graduates under the age of 30 and a prerequisite for holding public office in Nigeria.

“Our preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Gbajabiamila lacks this essential credential, casting serious doubt on his eligibility to lead the NLRC, an institution responsible for overseeing a key sector of our economy. The integrity of public office is non-negotiable. Public officials must adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards to preserve the trust of the Nigerian people and the credibility of our institutions.

“We therefore call upon the National Assembly, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the NYSC to initiate an immediate and comprehensive investigation into this matter.”

The allegations come amid reports in February this year that Gbajabiamila did not have a valid NYSC certificate.

Meanwhile, Lanre Gbajabiamila has yet to react to the allegations.