Nigerian leader suspends poverty alleviation minister after financial transactions are questioned

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's president on Monday suspended the country's minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation over the use of a private bank account for ministry financial transactions in the government's social welfare programme.

Betta Edu was suspended with immediate effect while Nigeria's anti-corruption agency carries out a “thorough investigation” of all ministry financial transactions,” presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.

It said the investigation would extend to the entire framework of Nigeria's social investment programs.

President Bola Tinubu was elected last year after promising to rid Africa's most populous country of chronic corruption and extreme poverty.

His government said the suspension follows his commitment “to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability” in how Nigeria's resources are managed.

Edu's suspension comes days after local media cited an official memo in which she directed that 585 million naira ($661,000) worth of grants meant for vulnerable groups should be paid into a private account — a decision that the minister's office said followed due process.

The minister has denied any wrongdoing.

In a country where the government's austerity measures have further squeezed millions of people facing extreme levels of poverty, many Nigerians criticised the use of a private bank account for the grants program and called for the minister to be fired.

The office of Nigeria's Accountant General of the Federation said in a statement that such funds are meant to be sent directly from government accounts to the beneficiaries.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.