Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has been suspended by President Bola Tinubu over allegations of diverting over 585 million naira ($640,000) of public funds into a personal bank account.
This is the first time a minister has been suspended in Nigeria, and the move follows a leaked document that allegedly showed Edu instructing a senior treasury accountant to transfer funds into a personal account for the implementation of grants to vulnerable groups. Edu has denied any wrongdoing, and the suspension is pending a thorough investigation by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency. The use of a private bank account for the grants program has been criticized by many Nigerians, given the government’s austerity measures that have further squeezed millions of people.
What is the role of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria?
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in Nigeria is responsible for developing humanitarian policies and coordinating efforts to address poverty and social challenges in the country. Established in 2019, the ministry’s mission is to provide leadership and coordinate all matters relating to humanitarian challenges and poverty alleviation in Nigeria 12.
The ministry works with various agencies and commissions, such as the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons, to implement programs and initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and supporting vulnerable groups1.
The ministry’s role includes the formulation and implementation of policies, programs, and projects to reduce poverty, respond to disasters, and address social development issues in Nigeria1.