Corruption allegations have surfaced within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, causing distress among millions of struggling Nigerians.
On January 2, Halima Shehu, previously the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), was suspended amidst accusations of financial misconduct. Akindele Egbuwalo, the national N-Power program manager, swiftly assumed the role in an acting capacity.
Shehu stands accused of diverting a staggering N40 billion from NSIPA’s funds. The controversy escalated when a leaked memo revealed Betta Edu, the now-suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, requesting the transfer of N585 million to a private account held by Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Rasheed Zubair, media aide to Edu, dismissed the memo as a blackmail tactic, asserting that it followed due process after the exposure of fraud within NSIPA. President Bola Tinubu subsequently suspended Edu and mandated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the ministry’s finances.
The rift between Edu and Shehu traces back to the appointment process. Initially, Delu Yakubu was selected for the NSIPA CEO position before concerns about her capability led to her appointment as a presidential aide. This paved the way for Shehu’s confirmation in October, causing dissatisfaction on Edu’s part.
An insider revealed Edu’s discomfort with Shehu’s appointment, stating, “This did not create a harmonious working environment between both women from the outset.” Money became another point of contention, with allegations that Edu withdrew funds from NSIPA without informing its head.
“Shehu got angry over that and the only way she thought she could still retain control over her agency was to transfer the remaining balance out of the accounts that Edu had access to,” the insider explained.
As the fallout unfolded, confusion gripped NSIPA, with no official communication from the presidency on the acting CEO. Reports indicated Akindele Egbuwalo as the acting replacement, but insiders revealed the absence of a formal directive. This uncertainty compounds the challenges faced by NSIPA, adding another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation.