Perm Sec Takes Over Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Amid Edu’s Suspension

Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has taken charge of the ministry following the suspension of Minister Betta Edu.

This action aligns with the directive issued by President Bola Tinubu, who suspended Edu on Monday over allegations of her involvement in a N585 million fraud. Edu is accused of transferring public funds into private accounts.

Enitan assumed responsibility for the ministry after receiving a letter to that effect from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night.

It is noteworthy that Tinubu, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, instructed the suspended minister to “hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.”

“The President directs her to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities during their inquiry. Additionally, a panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance has been tasked by the President to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes. This is with the aim of conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programs to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and to regain lost public confidence in the initiative,” Ngelale stated in a release.