Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale, made the suspension announcement, emphasizing the President’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability standards. A presidential source, speaking on anonymity, suggested that Edu’s return to office might be improbable due to undisclosed additional issues beyond public knowledge.
It seems unlikely that the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, will resume her duties, according to investigations by Findwhosabi. The move comes in the wake of a scandal involving a multi-million naira N585m transfer into a private account within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
President Bola Tinubu had ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged N585m scandal, leading to sessions with key figures, including Edu, former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and suspended National Coordinator Halima Shehu. Edu is under investigation for authorizing the transfer, while Umar-Farouq faces allegations of N37.1bn money laundering, and Shehu is questioned for moving N44bn NSIP funds without presidential approval.
The investigation has deepened, with EFCC interrogating top civil servants linked to the scandals. In 2023, the ICPC reportedly recovered over N50bn from the humanitarian affairs ministry, preventing its embezzlement. The funds, meant for vulnerable citizens during Umar-Farouq’s tenure, were blocked from transferring into private accounts.
President Tinubu has now suspended all programs administered by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) for six weeks. This decision follows recommendations from the EFCC and ICPC, citing monumental fraud exceeding N81.6bn in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. A ministerial panel has been established to review NSIPA’s operations and propose necessary reforms.
Director Information of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, announced the suspension of NSIPA-related activities, including N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer, Government Enterprise and Empowerment, and Home Grown School Feeding programs.
Tinubu’s administration assures Nigerians of a swift and unbiased process, intending to ensure social intervention programs benefit the most vulnerable citizens. The action over NSIPA aligns with ICPC recommendations, following the recovery of over N50bn, which was subsequently returned to the Federal Government. The funds, part of the N44bn laundered in NSIPA and the N585m authorized by Edu, were initially blocked and recovered by the ICPC during the naira scarcity between late 2022 and 2023.
EFCC detectives continue to interrogate senior civil servants as part of their ongoing probe into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The unfolding scandal has raised concerns about the management of public funds and the effectiveness of social intervention programs. Findwhosabi will continue to investigate and report on any developments in this matter. on te suspension ordered by Tinubu
