The Nigerian American Joint Veterans’ Alliance (NAJVA), a United States–based association of Nigerian professionals, veterans and public policy advocates, has thrown its weight behind the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing the renewed allegations over his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records as misleading and politically driven.
In an official statement, the group said it had carried out an extensive internal review, independent verification and consulted publicly available records before reaching its position. According to NAJVA, the claims being circulated by “certain interest groups” are “factually incorrect, legally unsustainable, and politically motivated.”
The alliance clarified that Tunji-Ojo never claimed to be a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, noting that the minister has consistently maintained that although he attended OAU, he did not complete his studies there. NAJVA stated that he gained admission into OAU in 1999 to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering but left for the United Kingdom in 2002 during prolonged strikes that disrupted the academic calendar.
The group added that Tunji-Ojo subsequently enrolled at the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University), graduating in 2005 in Electronics and Communication Engineering, before obtaining a postgraduate qualification in Digital Communication and Networking in 2006. It further highlighted his multiple professional ICT certifications, including recognition as one of the early sets of Certified Ethical Hackers trained at the Royal Britannia IT Training Academy before the age of 24.
On the NYSC controversy, NAJVA said the scheme — the statutory body empowered to determine service status — had already clarified that the minister duly served and was lawfully discharged, noting that records of his mobilisation, interruption and remobilisation had been documented and reported publicly. The group therefore maintained that the issue was settled.
Describing Tunji-Ojo as “one of the most effective, reform-oriented ministers” in the current administration, NAJVA condemned what it called deliberate attempts to distract from governance, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the public to disregard the allegations.
“Nigerians in the diaspora stand firmly in support of Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” the group stated, commending his work in internal security reforms and institutional accountability within the Ministry of Interior.
The statement was signed by NAJVA President, Rtd. Olajide Olajuwon, who appealed to Nigerians to allow the minister to focus on his statutory responsibilities in service to the nation.
