Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has shared the reasoning behind her resignation from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet in September 2018, revealing that the decision was guided by principle and the need to protect the integrity of her office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, Adeosun explained that stepping down allowed her to defend her name in court following the controversy over her exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). She emphasized that her resignation was not an admission of wrongdoing but a measure to prevent conflicts between her ministerial duties and personal legal matters.

“People kept asking why I resigned. No one resigns as Minister of Finance as I did, but I still think it was the right decision. My resignation was a matter of principle and not an admission of wrongdoing,” Adeosun said.

She recounted personally informing President Buhari of her choice, noting that he supported her decision to seek legal redress. In 2021, the Federal High Court ruled that her NYSC exemption and ministerial appointment were lawful under the 1979 Constitution.

Beyond the political controversy, Adeosun reflected on policy challenges she faced, including the unsustainable fuel subsidy and the need for tax reforms. She stressed that subsidy payments drained resources that could be better invested in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and that effective reform required structural solutions rather than short-term palliatives.

“When you’re Minister of Finance, the word ‘no’ becomes your watchword. If your finance minister is loved by everybody, they’re probably not doing much of a job,” she said, highlighting the challenges of implementing fiscal reforms.

Adeosun also discussed her social impact work through DashMe Stores, a charitable initiative she founded in 2021. The organization has raised over ₦500 million to support vulnerable Nigerians, including building and refurbishing orphanages, all operating on a not-for-profit model.

She stressed that societal progress begins with citizen action, not government, and reflected on how DashMe’s initiatives often filled gaps left by official authorities.

“It’s the people that lead the government. One of our challenges in Nigeria is that we expect the government to lead the people. It should be the other way around,” she noted.

Through her reflections, Adeosun underscored principles of integrity, social responsibility, and structural reform as central to public service and nation-building.