A man identified as Mr. Olamide Salami Kayode, 52, has allegedly claimed to be the individual featured in the widely circulated National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) photograph that has been repeatedly shared in political debates on social media.
In a statement circulating online, Kayode reportedly said he is prepared to file a ₦500 billion lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if his image is used again for what he described as political propaganda.
According to the unverified statement attributed to him, Kayode declared:
“Leave my face out of your politics. I’ve kept quiet long enough.”
The authenticity of the claim, as well as Kayode’s alleged identity as the person in the viral photograph, has not been independently verified by credible news organizations as of the time of filing this report. Recent searches did not locate any official court filing or statement from the Presidency addressing the alleged threat.
The latest unverified claim over the viral NYSC photograph adds to a series of long-running controversies that have surrounded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s identity and academic records over the years.
Among the most prominent was the dispute over his academic credentials from Chicago State University. During litigation following the 2023 presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar alleged that the diploma Tinubu submitted to INEC was forged. However, Chicago State University confirmed under oath that Tinubu attended and graduated from the institution in 1979. While university officials said they could not authenticate the specific physical diploma presented to INEC because replacement diplomas may differ from originals, Nigerian courts ultimately held that the forgery allegation had not been proven and upheld Tinubu’s election.
Other controversies have included public debates over Tinubu’s age, names, primary and secondary school records, and discrepancies alleged by critics in documents submitted over different election cycles. Most recently, the publication of his 2027 nomination papers by INEC reignited debate after his form listed only his Chicago State University degree, leaving the sections for primary and secondary school qualifications blank. Opposition parties have questioned the omission, while INEC has maintained that it publishes candidates’ documents for public scrutiny rather than verifying their authenticity.
Despite persistent political criticism and renewed legal challenges, no Nigerian court has ruled that President Tinubu assumed a false identity or that he forged his academic credentials. The issues remain the subject of political contestation, public debate, and ongoing litigation rather than established judicial fact.
The Presidency has not issued any official response to the purported statement, and no lawsuit has been publicly confirmed.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more verified information becomes available.
