In a significant development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the passports of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq. This move is a precautionary measure to prevent them from leaving the country while investigations into the scandals within the ministry are ongoing.
Edu, who faced questioning at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, is under investigation for her alleged involvement in a N44 billion fraud within the ministry. The commission’s investigators are delving into the intricacies of the scandal, including the transfer of N585 million to a private account, as revealed in a leaked memo.
Umar-Farouq, who was interrogated for 12 hours on Monday, is also connected to the probe into the alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete. Her passport was seized as part of her bail conditions.
Additionally, Ms Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, another agency under the humanitarian ministry, has been suspended indefinitely over alleged financial misappropriation. Shehu, who had been arrested and questioned by the EFCC, faces accusations related to the movement of N44 billion from the NSIPA account to suspicious private and corporate accounts.
Furthermore, managing directors of three commercial banks were questioned on Tuesday in connection with the fraud investigations. The EFCC sources confirmed that these banks were deeply involved in the financial improprieties under scrutiny.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, reacting to the unfolding scandals, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as a financial resource for successive governments. Atiku commended the suspension of Minister Edu but called for broader reforms within the ministry to address systemic corruption and ensure accountability in interventionist programs.
In a significant development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the passports of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq. This move comes in the wake of the ongoing investigations into scandals within the ministry.
Edu, who appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, has been under intense scrutiny regarding the uncovered N44 billion fraud within the ministry. The commission’s investigators, working to unravel the intricacies of the alleged fraud, continued questioning Edu throughout the day.
As part of the broader investigation, managing directors of three commercial banks were also reportedly questioned on Tuesday concerning their involvement in the scandal.
The controversy surrounding Edu intensified after a leaked memo disclosed her directive to transfer N585 million to a private account belonging to Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups. Edu defended the transaction, asserting that the funds were intended for vulnerable groups in specific states.
In response to mounting public pressure, President Tinubu suspended Edu on Monday and instructed her to hand over to the permanent secretary in the ministry. Edu, complying with an EFCC invitation, underwent an extended interrogation session on Tuesday, during which both her personal and official passports were seized, restricting her travel abroad during the investigation. The EFCC continues to delve into the alleged financial improprieties within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to Atiku Abubakar’s remarks regarding the corruption allegations against the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq. Bala Ibrahim, the APC Director of Publicity, cautioned Atiku against premature conclusions, emphasizing that Edu is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Ibrahim criticized both Atiku and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that they have faced more corruption allegations than Edu and the APC. He highlighted the presumption of innocence in law and commended President Tinubu’s response to the allegations, portraying him as a leader who listens to the concerns of the nation and acts within the confines of the law.
Emphasizing the ongoing investigation, Ibrahim stated, “It will be wrong for anyone to jump to the conclusion that there is theft or that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is a conduit that is made to siphon public funds for APC governments.” He defended the APC, acknowledging that no political party is without individuals facing allegations but stressed the importance of a party’s willingness to address wrongdoings.
In a related development, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the suspension and investigation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement in a N438 million contract awarded by Edu. The PDP urged the President to take immediate action to protect public resources and hand Tunji-Ojo over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.
***Full List: 107 Private Varsities To Be Investigated By FG’s Panel
The Federal Ministry of Education inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee on Tuesday to investigate the operations of private and foreign universities in Nigeria. Led by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the committee includes the Minister of Youths, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, among others.
One key term of reference for the committee is to scrutinize private universities established within the last 15 years. The committee will assess whether these institutions possess prescribed facilities, maintain an appropriate management structure, have adequate funding for programs, and employ the necessary staff, including full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting, and other staff types.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) periodically accredits universities, but this investigation seeks to ensure that recently established private universities align with the stipulated standards. The NUC’s website currently lists a total of 147 private universities in Nigeria, with 107 of them established within the last 15 years.
The government’s move to scrutinize these institutions underscores the commitment to maintaining quality standards in the nation’s higher education sector. The investigative panel will shed light on the adherence of recently established private universities to regulatory requirements and ensure the delivery of quality education to students across the country.
They are;
Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
Baze University, FCT Abuja
Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State
Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University), Ogwa, Edo State
McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ajebo, Ogun State
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
Southwestern University, Oku Owa, Ogun State
Evangel University, Ebonyi State
Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State
Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State
Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State
Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State
Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State
Kings University Ode-Omu, Osun State
Michael & Cecilia Ibru University, Owhode, Delta State
Mountain Top University, Makogi/Oba, Ogun State
Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwalbom State
Summit University, Offa, Kwara State
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State
Hezekiah University, Umudi, Imo State
Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos State
Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
Clifford University, Abia State
Coal City University, Enugu state
Ojaja University, Ilorin, Kwara state
Dominican University, Ibadan, Oyo State
Kola Daisi University., Ibadan, Oyo State
Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State
Spiritan University, Neochi, Abia State
Precious Cornerstone, Ibadan, Oyo State
PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State
Atiba University, Oyo, Oyo State
Eko University of Medical Sciences, Ijanikin, Lagos
Skyline University, Nigeria, Kano, Kano State
Greenfield University, Kasarami-Kaduna, Kaduna State
Dominion University, Ibadan, Oyo State
Trinity University, Laloko, Ogun State
Westland University, Iwo, Osun State
Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa-Ibom State
Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State
Maranatha University, Lekki, Lagos State
Ave-Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State
43.AL-Istigama University, Sumaila, Kano State
Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State
Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State
Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State
Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State
Nok University, Kachia, Kaduna State
James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos state
Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano, Kano State
Capital City University, Kano, Kano State
Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, Kwara State
University of Offa, Offa, Kwara State
Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State
Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State
Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja
Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State
ANAN University, Kwall, Plateau State
Pen Resource University, Gombe, Gombe State
60.Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno
Margaret Lawrence University, Galilee, Delta State
Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano, Kano State
Sports University, Idumuje, Ugboko, Delta State
Baba-Ahmed University, Kano, Kano State
Salsa University Of Medical Sciences and Technology, Sokoto, Sokoto State
Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State
Peter University, Achina-Onneh, Anambra State
Newgate University, Minna, Niger State
European University of Nigeria, Abuja, FCT
Northwest University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
Rayhaan University, Kebbi State
Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin, Kwara State
Sam Maris University, Supare, Ondo State
Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, Abia State
Maduka University, Ekwegbe, Enugu State
Peaceland University, Enugu, Enugu State
Amadeus University, Amizi, Abia State
Vision University, Ikogbo, Ogun State
Azman University, Kano, Kano State
Huda University, Gusau, Zamfara State
Franco British International University, Kaduna, Kaduna State
Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja, FCT
Miva Open University, Abuja, FCT
Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-ljebu, Ogun State
British Canadian University, Obudu, Cross River State
Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State
88.Phoenix University, Agwada, Nasarawa State
Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State
Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti State
University on the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State
Elrazi University of Medical Sciences, Kano Kano State
Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, Ekiti State
94 Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State
Duke Medical University, Calabar, Cross River State
Mercy Medical University, Iwara, Iwo, Osun State
97.Cosmopolitan University, Abuja, FCT
Iconic Open University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
West Midland Open University, Ibadan, Oyo State
Amaj University, Abuja, FCT
Prime University, Abuja, FCT
El-Amin University, Niger State
College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, Kaduna State
Jewel University, Gombe, Gombe State
Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Apapa, Lagos State
In a bid to streamline government expenditures, President Bola Tinubu has approved significant reductions in official entourages for both domestic and international travels. The decision, aimed at cost-cutting, will see a 60% reduction in the number of officials accompanying the President, Vice President, First Lady, and other government offices.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed the directive during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. Ngelale emphasized that the cost-cutting measures apply uniformly to the Offices of the President, Vice President, First Lady, Wife of the Vice President, as well as all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
“For domestic trips, the President will now travel with a maximum of 25 officials, a notable reduction from previous practice,” Ngelale stated. He further explained that the same limit applies to the Office of the First Lady and the Wife of the Vice President, with their entourage capped at 10 members for official trips within the country.
On international trips, President Tinubu has directed that the entourage be restricted to a maximum of 20 individuals. The First Lady’s entourage will be limited to five members, mirroring the President’s directive. Similarly, the Vice President and his wife will be accompanied by a maximum of five officials on international visits.
Ngelale clarified that ministers will now be constrained to four accompanying staff members on foreign trips, while heads of agencies are limited to two. The move comes in response to recent criticism of the Tinubu administration’s entourage size during the COP28 Climate Change Summit in Dubai, where a sizable delegation attracted public scrutiny.
These austerity measures mark a deliberate effort by the President to address concerns over excessive spending and ensure a more efficient use of public resources in official travels.
Contrary to reports, a presidency source has denied that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was summoned by President Bola Tinubu over the alleged financial infractions involving the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The Interior Minister has been linked to financial transactions with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs through a company in which he was reported to have an interest.
Sources close to the Minister refuted claims of being summoned, stating, “We are too intelligent to be stupid.”
The details of the meeting between the Interior Minister and the President remain undisclosed.
Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has arrived at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters.
She was invited by the EFCC for questioning regarding an alleged N585 million fraud in her ministry.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu on Monday following accusations of diverting humanitarian funds meant for grants to vulnerable groups in several states.
This development makes Edu the first minister to be suspended from office since the swearing-in of the Federal Executive Council in August of the previous year.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asserted that the Federal Government discontinued the payment of the N35,000 minimum wage after the first month, despite having the necessary revenue to fulfill the commitment.
Festus Osifo, the President of the TUC, conveyed this claim during an interview with Arise Television on Monday. According to the TUC, the government ceased the 6-month wage award payment promised to workers after the initial disbursement.
Osifo highlighted that the government possesses ample revenues to meet the union’s demands but lacks the will to implement the agreed-upon measures. He stated, “It is not because they don’t have revenue, but it is the will for them to actually do what is right.”
In response to this, the TUC presented a 10-point agenda to President Bola Tinubu as part of their demands to the federal government. Osifo emphasized the need for sincere implementation and accountability, noting that some provisions in the agreement reached with the government had not been fully executed.
He pointed out, “It is left for government to tell us the reason why they have not taken that document to court, it’s left for them. But for us, our responsibility is to hold them accountable to be sure and certain that every statement in that agreement as agreed with them must be implemented.”
The TUC president linked the demands in the 10-point agenda to the challenges faced by the average Nigerian, including the impact of inflation, the removal of fuel subsidy, and other economic difficulties. He urged the government to address these issues, stating, “This government must sit down, buckle its belt, and address the issues that are affecting Nigerians.”
The Federal Ministry of Education is set to address the rising issue of degree mills by inaugurating an inter-ministerial committee, as announced by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Goong.
In a statement to journalists in Abuja, Goong stated, “Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, will this afternoon, inaugurate an inter-ministerial committee on degree mills.
” The move comes in response to recent revelations about the activities of degree mills in Benin Republic and Togo, highlighted in an investigative report by Umar Audu with the Daily Nigerian newspaper.
Audu’s report detailed how he obtained a degree within six weeks and participated in the National Youth Service Corps scheme with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication certificate from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The ban is expected to impact over 10,900 Nigerian students studying in Benin and Togo, according to statistics from the National Association of Nigerian Students. Additionally, the National Universities Commission revealed that 18 out of the 58 suspended universities in Nigeria are foreign-owned.
The establishment of the inter-ministerial committee reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of fake degrees and ensuring the integrity of educational credentials in the country.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that the Federal Government is poised to initiate a full contactless passport application process coupled with home delivery, scheduled to kick off on March 8.
Tunji-Ojo outlined the details of the upcoming service, emphasizing the convenience it would offer to Nigerian citizens. He stated, “Plans are almost ready for the commencement of full contactless passport applications and the delivery of the same to applicants via courier.”
Highlighting the phased approach, he explained, “We have phase one, phase two, and phase three. This is phase one that we have delivered. Phase two is the one in the diaspora, set to be delivered on February 8. Then phase three is the contactless biometric, whereby you don’t even need to go again, and that’s March 8.”
The minister assured the public that the Ministry of Interior is committed to fulfilling its promises, aiming to make passport application processes in the country more seamless. He urged Nigerians to trust in the implementation of the new system, stating, “The Ministry of Interior is poised towards the delivery of every promise that we made.”
With the commencement of the automated passport application portal to the public, as pledged by the minister late last year, citizens can look forward to a streamlined process. Tunji-Ojo encouraged confidence in the upcoming changes, stating, “I guarantee you that in two months’ time, you sit at home, do your biometrics, fill in your delivery address, and we send it to you via courier.”
This development signifies a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency of passport application procedures, offering citizens the ability to complete the process from the comfort of their homes.
