Nigerian president suspends minister over fraud

By Timothy Olanrewaju

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Monday suspended his humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation minister over alleged misappropriation of social investment funds.

The minister, Betta Edu, was suspended in line with the government's commitment to uphold the "highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability" in the management of the country's wealth, said presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Monday.

“President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect,” he announced, adding the president has also ordered an inquiry against the suspended minister.

Betta Edu was among the 48 ministers appointed by the president in August 2023.

On Jan. 2, President Tinubu suspended the head of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) for alleged over 37 billion naira ($41 million) fraud in the social investment fund under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.