FEATURES
Peter Gregory Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, has expressed his concerns over purported fraudulent activities within the humanitarian ministry.
This comes after Betta Edu’s suspension as a humanitarian affairs minister due to the misappropriation of N585 million earmarked for palliative distribution.
The Labour Party candidate in the 2023 general election observed that the ministry might function as a channel designed by the system to divert public funds, all the while utilizing the poor as a public face.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi said that the incessant cases of corruption in the ministry also confirmed the belief that the ministry might have been a conduit for political elites to divert public funds for themselves.
Obi said,
- “By a sad coincidence, the alleged fraudulent diversion of N585 million of public money by Ms. Edu broke almost at the same moment that the Minister who held the same portfolio in the last administration is being investigated for a whopping N37bn misappropriation.
- “The Ministry may have been created by the system as a conduit pipe to siphon public funds while using the poor as a face. Equally worrisome and disgusting is the fact that the missing funds are meant for poverty alleviation in a time of severe suffering among the people.
- “Unfortunately, a ruling elite that can shamelessly convert, divert, or misappropriate such huge sums meant for the poor cannot be trusted to address the severe poverty ravaging the people.”
What you should know
- Betta Edu faced severe backlash after being implicated in a N585 million disbursement scandal linked to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, drawing criticism from various rights groups and activists.
- Subsequently, the President on Monday took decisive action by promptly suspending the 37-year-old, making the former national women leader of his party the inaugural member to be ousted from his 48-man cabinet formed in August.
- Edu clinched her ministerial appointment about three months after Tinubu was sworn in as President. Her tenure as minister was, however, short-lived barely six months after, perhaps the shortest tenure by a minister in a long while.
- Edu’s predecessor, Umar-Farouq, is also being investigated by the EFCC. The ex-minister is being probed over an alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure as a minister.
[Nairametrics]
The naira has lost 26.36 per cent of its value against the dollar at the official Investor and Exporter window of the foreign exchange market since the Central Bank of Nigeria announced it has cleared $2bn as part of its backlog obligations.
On Monday, the apex bank disclosed it paid $2bn from the backlog of its forward contract obligations. It stated this when it revealed it had disbursed $61.64m to foreign airlines as part of the matured foreign exchange obligations.
The CBN Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Alia, said, “These payments signify the CBN’s ongoing efforts to settle all remaining valid forward transactions, to alleviate the current pressure on the country’s exchange rate.
“It is anticipated that this initiative by the CBN should provide a considerable boost to the Naira hug against other major world currencies and further increase investor confidence in the Nigeria economy.”
On Monday, the naira closed trading at N856.57/$. Since then, the naira has traded above N1000 against the dollar and fell by 26.36 per cent to close at N1082.32/$ on Wednesday, according to data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange.
This is a slight 0.66 per cent increase from the N1089.51/$ it closed trading on Tuesday. This is the fifth time the naira has closed above N1000 on the official window since the Central Bank of Nigeria removed the rate cap on the national currency.
On December 8, the naira fell to an all-time low of N1,099.05/$, on December 28, 2023, it closed trading at N1043.09/$, on January 3, 2024, the national currency closed at N1035.12/$. On Tuesday (January 9, 2024) it closed at N1089.51/$, becoming the second lowest rate the currency has con closed the official FX window.
This steep depreciation of the naira against the dollar is also in the face of renewed efforts to boost liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
At the end of 2023, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed that the Federal Government had received a $2.25bn foreign exchange support facility from the African Import-Export Bank.
According to the minister, the first tranche of its $3.3bn facility from the bank was aimed at resolving FX shortages in the economy.
Commenting on why the naira has continued to fall, the Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba, stated that the volatility of the naira is because of inadequate foreign exchange supply.
He told The PUNCH, “Reserves are low and declining, the CBN is known to be in arrears on some of its obligations. It has started clearing its arrears and has pledged to clear all of it in due course.”
He stated that the government has been making efforts to boost FX supply through investments, but these are yet to materialise, yet. He noted that if the government can be more open to investors, the country would get the forex it needs to boost reserves and meet the demand in the FX market.
He declared, “I want to see the N1000/$ as a reflection of FX shortages.” Teriba highlighted that the recent inflow of $2.3bn as crude forwards won’t solve the country’s supply issues.
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, noted that the naira will be more stable in 2024.
He said, “I don’t expect the volatility to be as high as it was in 2023.” He however hinged this prediction on three factors. He explained, “One because with the coming onstream of the local refineries, there will be less demand on forex. This should hopefully help boost the value of the naira. Two, if the government can generate more revenue without recourse to Ways and Means, this would reduce the inflation rate.
“The third factor is boosting oil production. Improving the supply of oil and increasing foreign exchange for the economy will boost the value of the naira.”
When The PUNCH asked him about his prediction for the rate of the national currency, he said, “In the short to medium term the naira may be around N1000/$ but towards the end of year as things improve the naira may firm to about N900/$.”
According to Financial Derivatives Company, the naira is set to remain under pressure in 2024 since the apex bank has little firepower to defend the currency.
It disclosed this in a document titled, ‘2024: The Hard Road Ahead.’ It noted that the naira might fall towards N1,350/$ before bouncing back in Q2.
[Punch]
The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced a new appointment of executive officers for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris banks following the dissolution of the board of the banks on Wednesday.
The acting director of Corporate Communication, Sidi-Ali Hakama, made this disclosure in a circular dated January 10, 2024.
According to the CBN, the new executive officers will now oversee the affairs of the banks.
In addition, the apex bank noted that the appointment will take effect immediately.
The CBN said, “Board and Management of Union Bank, Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank on Wednesday, January 10, the CBN has appointed new executives to oversee the affairs of the bank;
Union Bank
Yetunde Oni — Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
Mannir Ubali Ringim — Executive Director
Keystone Bank
Hassan Imam — Managing Director/ Chief Executive Office
Chioma A. Many — Executive Director
Polaris Bank
Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola — Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer
Chris Onyeka Ofikulu — Executive Director
“The appointments take immediate effect.”
Joseph Aloba, father of the late Afrobeat singer Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation into his son’s death.
In an interview with Trust TV on Wednesday, Joseph appealed to the government to intensify the probe to ensure justice is served.
Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, and was buried the following day. The death of the young artist led to allegations against Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, the owner of Mohbad’s former record label Marlian Records, and others including Sam Larry.
Both Naira Marley and Sam Larry were arrested, arraigned, and subsequently released on bail, denying any involvement in the incident. A nurse who administered injections to Mohbad was identified as a prime suspect.
The controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death prompted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to order a comprehensive forensic investigation.
Following this directive, the Lagos State Police Command established a 10-member team, including a pathologist, to exhume Mohbad’s body and thoroughly investigate the circumstances of his death.
In November 2023, the Lagos Coroner Court, presided over by Magistrate Adetayo Shotobi, revealed that a crucial aspect of the autopsy to ascertain the cause of Mohbad’s death was underway in the United States.
State counsel O. Akinde informed the court that while the external examination had been completed, the toxicology test, essential for understanding internal factors, was being conducted in the US.
The delay in releasing the autopsy report has led to increasing public demand for transparency and closure.
Mohbad’s father, in his interview, voiced his concern over the pace and direction of the police investigation, emphasizing the need for a thorough and transparent process to uncover the truth behind his son’s untimely demise.
He said, “I am not satisfied with police investigation. A lot of things have been said outside which are not really right. When I carried Mohbad’s body to the police station, my expectation is that they would follow me to search his house or give me the police (autopsy) report which they have not given me. Those are the areas I am not satisfied with.”
The father stated that he wanted the investigation to be to be thorough, urging the police to invite people who were living with Mohbad.
He further stated, “They should ask them questions. Through searching their phones, they would know what killed Mohbad. A lot of people were living with him. So I am not really satisfied with the investigation.
“We are still looking for justice….Delay can result in denial. I am begging the government to put more effort so that things can go on fine as people expect.”
Abdul-Razak Faila, a Ghanaian chef, is on the verge of breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest individual cookathon.
Faila began her cookathon on January 1, 2024, at the Modern City Hotel in Tamale, the cook-a-thon had been initially planned to last for five days, a total of 120 hours.
She will complete her challenge today, January 10, 2024, with a time of 227 hours and 10 seconds.
She sought to beat the record of 119 hours and 57 minutes set by Irish chef Alan Fisher, but the plans were changed, extending it to 10 days
She cooked a pot of jollof rice as her last meal in the last hour, intending to serve it to the masses who had assembled to show solidarity at the Modern City Hotel in Tamale.
She cooked 195 meals as a result of her unshakeable dedication and perseverance throughout the marathon.
In addition to captivating the audience with her culinary skills, Chef Faila’s altruism was evident as she delivered hundreds of platters to underprivileged individuals.
Chef Faila has set a new record by being the first chef from Ghana to complete a record-breaking cooking marathon with this incredible accomplishment.
An academic professor and son of the late Ibadan politician, Lamidi Adedibu, Prof Aderemi Adedibu, has said his father was not a thug as some people believed when he was alive.
Aderemi who stated this while speaking with Dele Adeyanju on Agbaletu TV, noted that his late father was a man who hated cheating and fought justly to make sure that no one was cheated.
According to the Professor of Mathematics, Late Adebibu was a generous man, who catered for everyone who moved closer to him but he fought whosoever cheated or attempted to cheat his/her fellow human beings.
While disputing the claim that his father was a political thug and land grabber, who fought unjustly, to gain some political and financial benefits, Aderemi said his father was a seasoned contractor who made money through the federal government-awarded contracts, to finance the needy and political hopefuls, to achieve their ambitions, adding that he was familiar with land histories in Ibadan and South-Western zone, so he fought for those who were being cheated on their lands.
According to him, Late Adedibu was influenced by the late Lanleyin, to join politics, and he was loyal to the likes of the late Obafemi Awolowo, and other leaders of their party.
The first male child and third born of the Adedibu family however claimed that he took a personal decision to relocate to Nigeria, after studying abroad, to defend the reputation of his late father, who was constantly misconstrued to be a thug.
When asked if he agreed with his late father, on social and political issues, Aderemi said they agreed on some social issues, nevertheless, they disagreed on certain political issues.
The Lagos State Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Gowon Estate Division has been removed for the alleged detaining of a lawyer who was seeking justice for his client.
SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officers has confirmed the removal in a statement on Wednesday, January 10.
According to Hundeyin, he said Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, ordered the immediate removal of the officer from the division
He said this followed the conclusion of investigations into the allegations made against the DPO, as published in the media on January 4.
He said the DPO would be removed pending a review of his case by other supervisory authorities.
“The CP had earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the matter upon receipt of the publication.
“CP Fayoade has equally directed the OC Legal of the Command to initiate steps to reach out to the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch to enable a round table discussion.
“The meeting is towards preventing a recurrence of the avoidable incident and enhancing better Police-Lawyers relationship,” he said.
The spokesperson also said that the command would continue to uphold the rule of law and sanction any officer found wanting.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a Lagos-based lawyer, Olumide Sonupe, was hospitalized after detention by the police.
Sonupe was seeking the bail of his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area of the state on December 30, 2023.
A Nigerian national was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in United States prison for laundering millions obtained from internet scams.
He is also required to pay over $1.4 million in restitution, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.
According to court documents, 33-year-old Olugbenga Lawal of Indianapolis was involved in “sophisticated” romance fraud and business email compromise schemes. His victims include elderly users enticed into romantic relationships.
Lawal didn’t work alone but was part of a Nigeria-based international criminal organization. In August, he was convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to commit money laundering. His three co-conspirators, Michael Hermann, Rita Assane, and Dwight Baines previously pleaded guilty to the same crime.
Between January 2019 and May 2020, bank accounts controlled by Lawal received over $3.6 million in deposits. These deposits were spread across seven different bank accounts he opened in his name or the name of his business entity, Luxe Logistics. In total, Lawal controlled bank accounts in at least five different financial institutions to cover up money laundering.
Lawal also helped to launder money for the criminal organization by converting the stolen dollars deposited in his accounts into Nigerian currency accessible in Nigeria.
He also was involved in an import-export car-trading scheme with Nigeria, and exchanged currency to help send the fraudulent earnings of the organization back to the West African country, the DOJ said.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Patrick Doyle, has got people talking online over the comment on the cooking skills of his new wife, Funmilayo.
Naija News reports that the movie star made this known while appreciating his former classmate, Mercy Kuku, in a post shared on Facebook.
Patrick claimed that some people have left an indelible impression on him in the past; however, no woman has cooked better meals for him than his wife, Funmi.
He wrote, “For whatever reason today, I am in a mood to remember and thank people who have left an indelible impression on me in the recent past. This is Mercy Kuku my schoolmate Kenny Kuku’s wife. She was my hostess in Atlanta and she literally blew my mind with her cooking. After my sweetheart Funmilayo, no woman has cooked better meals for me. Today once again, I say thank you to Mercy.”
Burna Boy Has Not Done Anything That Can Be Remotely Described As Great
Meanwhile, Patrick Doyle, has trashed the achievement of Nigerian Grammy award-winning singer, Burna Boy, in the music industry.
Naija News reports that the contribution of the ‘Last Last’ crooner in the Nigerian music space cannot be overemphasized, and he has consistently broken records both locally and internationally.
However, in a post via Facebook, Patrick Doyle said Burna Boy and his colleagues should ascribe the credit for their feats to great musicians who paved the way for them.
The movie star said that Burna has not done anything by himself that can be remotely described as outstanding because he and other Nigerian singers are recipients of the past musicians.
Doyle added that Nigerian singers need to be humble and respectful of their diligent predecessors like SunnyAde, Fela Anikulapo, Majek Fashek, Ik—Dairo and many others who paved the way from the ’60s to the 2000s.
[NaijaNews]
Nigeria’s gospel music scene thrums with a vibrant tapestry of emotive sounds and soul-stirring lyrics. Within this landscape, three exceptional artists – Ify Nneji, TY Bello, and Nathaniel Bassey – add distinct colours, infusing depth and resonance into this dynamic Nigerian industry.
Ify Nneji: Let’s enter Ify Nneji’s world. Her voice possesses an irresistible pull, drawing listeners into her sonic realm. Nneji’s artistry seamlessly blends traditional African rhythms with a contemporary edge. Her music isn’t just about catchy melodies; it’s a rich tapestry woven from cultural influences and spiritual depth, bridging generations. Her songs echo messages of hope, faith, and love, urging us to embrace spirituality in our daily lives.
TY Bello: Not just a gifted vocalist, TY Bello stands as another luminary within Nigeria’s gospel music sphere. She’s a multifaceted artist, photographer, and songwriter rolled into one. Her compositions aren’t mere songs; they spring from her personal journey and emotions, making them profoundly authentic and relatable. Bello crafts music that doesn’t just touch the senses; it pierces the heart and soul, forging connections through the potent blend of worship and melody.
Nathaniel Bassey: Then there’s Nathaniel Bassey, a maestro in stirring souls through his musical compositions. His fusion of age-old hymns with contemporary sounds acts as a spiritual clarion call. His track “Imela” featuring Enitan Adaba has become an anthem of gratitude, resonating in churches and homes alike, uplifting spirits and nurturing faith.
Collective Impact: Collectively, Ify Nneji, TY Bello, and Nathaniel Bassey embody the diversity and dynamism of Nigerian gospel music. They don’t merely produce tunes; their music serves as a conduit to celebrate God’s love and spirituality, both locally and globally. Their impact transcends the realm of music, sowing seeds of hope and fostering unity among diverse communities.
Evolution and Influence: The Nigerian gospel music scene isn’t static; it’s constantly evolving, propelled by the creativity and fervour of artists like Ify Nneji, TY Bello, and Nathaniel Bassey. From creating music and shaping narratives to propagating messages of faith and shattering boundaries, their influence extends beyond melodies, touching souls and fostering a deeper connection to spirituality, reaching far beyond Nigeria, resonating wherever their music finds a listener’s ear.
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Executive Chairman of Geregu Power PLC, Femi Otedola has donated N1 billion to the Lagos State State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
The billionaire visited the Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, January 10, with a cheque of 1 billion naira.
This was announced by Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat on his official X page.
He posted pictures of the presented with the caption: “Governor of Lagos state, Mr @jidesanwoolu today received the cheque of 1 Billion Naira Donation by a patriotic citizen and an ambassador of Lagos State, Mr Femi Otedola @realFemiOtedola to the Lagos State State Security Trust Fund (@followlsstf).
“The presentation was made by his daughter, Ms Tolani Otedola @shestolani today at the Lagos House, Marina. Otedola has been a consistent donor to the fund.”
[TheNation]
The year 2023 was a turbulent one for Nigerian politics, as the country witnessed a historic presidential election, a series of cabinet appointments, and several corruption scandals.
Some politicians emerged victorious, while others suffered defeats, disappointments, and disgrace. Here are 10 of the biggest political losers in 2023:
– Atiku Abubakar: The former vice president and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party came second in the election, losing to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress by over 1.8 million votes. Atiku rejected the results and challenged them in court, but his petition was dismissed for lack of merit at the Supreme Court. He also faced allegations of money laundering and tax evasion in the UK and the US.
– Peter Obi: The former governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party came third in the election, with 25.4% of the vote. Obi was seen as a strong contender, with his reputation for good governance and economic development. However, he failed to win the support of the Northern and Western region.
– Rabiu Kwankwaso: The former governor of Kano State and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party came fourth in the election, with 6.23% of the vote. Kwankwaso was expected to perform well in the north-western region, where he had a large following. However, he only won his home state of Kano, and lost to Tinubu in the other six states. He also faced a rift with his former deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje, who defected to the APC and became the chairman of the party.
– Ike Ekweremadu: The former deputy senate president and a member of the PDP was jailed for nine years and eight months in the UK, for his involvement in an organ trafficking plot. Ekweremadu, his wife, and their doctor were convicted of bringing a 21-year-old street trader from Lagos to London, to harvest his kidney for their daughter. Ekweremadu was also stripped of his parliamentary seat and his assets.
– Chinyere Igwe: The former member of the House of Representatives and a member of the PDP was arrested for money laundering, after being caught with $498,100 in cash on the eve of the 2023 general election. Igwe, who represented part of Port Harcourt, was also found with a list of people to bribe, according to the police. He was charged to court and remanded in custody.
– Oyibo Chukwu: The former senatorial candidate of the LP in Enugu East, was shot dead on Wednesday, December 7, by unknown gunmen. Chukwu, a former commissioner of health in Enugu State, was returning from a campaign rally, when he was ambushed and killed. The police blamed the separatist group IPOB for the murder, and declared a manhunt for the suspects.
– Samuel Ortom: A member of the five aggrieved governors of the PDP known as the G5, lost his election bid for Benue North West Senatorial District in the National Assembly to his All Progressives Congress counterpart in the district, Titus Zam.
– Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi: Ugwuanyi, a former governor and another member of the G5, lost his bid to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to Okechukwu Ezea of the Labour Party.
– Nasir El-Rufai: The former governor of Kaduna State was nominated by President Tinubu to serve as federal minister, but the Senate rejected him during screening over issues bordering on security. El-Rufai’s nomination was withdrawn after informing Tinubu that he was no longer interested in the position again, nominating his former commissioner for his replacement.
– Ben Ayade: The former governor of Cross River state who had hoped to return to the Senate after completing his eight-year tenure as the governor was defeated by Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe of the PDP, who received 76,145 votes, while Ayade polled 56,595.
Cadbury Nigeria has offered to swap its $7.7 million (N7.03 billion) debt owed to Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited for more equity.
Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited, controlled by Mondelēz International Inc, is a major investor in Cadbury Nigeria with 74.97 percent stake.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cadbury Nigeria said it borrowed $23 million from Cadbury Schweppes to settle outstanding third-party loans obtained to fund raw material imports and other input costs.
Cadbury Nigeria said it is facing challenges servicing the foreign currency-denominated loans due to persistent foreign currency scarcity in the country.
“The liberalisation of the foreign exchange market in June 2023 and attendant devaluation of the currency put further pressure on the Company as the Naira value of its foreign currency denominated loans increased significantly,” the company said.
“This resulted in an unrealised exchange loss of ₦20.6 billion and a loss after tax of ₦10.2 billion for the period ended, 30 September 2023.”
Cadbury Nigeria said it has been able to repay $18.6 million of the principal and accrued interest to the investor, leaving an outstanding balance of $7.7 million as of December 31, 2023.
It said the settlement of a portion of the loan, however, crystallised an estimated foreign exchange loss of N13.5 billion.
“In light of the above, the Board of Directors of Cadbury Nigeria has considered various options for settling the outstanding shareholder loan obligation and reducing the Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk,” Cadbury Nigeria said.
“The conversion of the outstanding loan into equity (the “Conversion”) was selected as the optimal option for the Company, as it is expected to deleverage its balance sheet and save the Company further foreign exchange losses.”
The board approved the conversion, however, on February 8, 2024, shareholders will vote on the decision at an extraordinary meeting (EGM) — before seeking approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
CONVERSION OF DEBT TO EQUITY TO AFFECT CADBURY OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE
The conversion of the $7.7 million debt to equity, according to the company, will result in the creation of 402,082,657 shares, which will be handed to Cadbury Schweppes at N17.50 per share.
Cadbury Schweppes presently holds 1,408,131,653 shares. The additional equity will increase its total holding to 1,810,214,310 shares, with its stake rising from 74.97 percent to 79.39 percent.
However, it will reduce the combined stake of other shareholders from 25.03 percent to 20.61 percent, while maintaining the same number of shares (470,070,309) pre-conversion and post-conversion.
Cadbury Nigeria further said its “share capital will be increased by ₦201,041,328.50 through the creation of 402,082,657 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to accommodate the issuance of new shares”.
However, the new shares will rank side by side with all the existing shares in the company’s share capital.
Commenting on the impact of the conversion, the board said it would create value for the shareholders and relevant stakeholders of the company.
Breaking down the impact, The board said it will deleverage the balance sheet and reduce pressure on Cadbury Nigeria’s cash flows, leading to improved liquidity which could be channelled into better uses or returned to shareholders via dividends.
“It will help reduce the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange risk and its impact on earnings,” the board said.
Cadbury Nigeria said it will reduce finance costs and lead to improved profitability, as well as improve its financial ratios, such as debt-to-equity and coverage ratios, potentially enhancing the company’s financial standing and creditworthiness.
Since the advent of civilian rule in 1999, marking the beginning of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria’s political landscape has been rife with numerous dramatic events, including the abrupt sacking and dismissal of ministers.
This trend, spanning various administrations, has become a notable feature of the country’s political dynamics.
From the tenure of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to Umaru Yar’Adua, followed by Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, and now under President Bola Tinubu, each administration has witnessed the dismissal of certain ministers.
While some of these sackings were linked to scandals and controversies, others were part of broader cabinet reshuffles or overhauls.
These ministers, coming from diverse backgrounds and holding various portfolios, found their tenures abruptly ended for different reasons.
Journalist Alao Abiodun has compiled a comprehensive list of these ministers, outlining the circumstances and reasons behind their dismissal since the start of the Fourth Republic.
1. Barth Nnaji – Contrary to the impression created by the then presidency under Goodluck Jonathan that the then Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, resigned from office on his own volition, Nnaji was tactically forced to resign following a gale of allegations linking him with attempts to subvert the bidding process for the sale of Afam Power plant.
Former President Jonathan was said to have asked the minister to resign rather than sack him, to save his administration the monumental embarrassment such an action could generate.
2. Michael Aondoakaa – Aondoakaa was appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Justice by late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on July 26, 2007.
In 2010, he was removed in controversial circumstances by Goodluck Jonathan, the acting president at the time.
3. Fabian Osuji – Osuji was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in March 2005 following his indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly offering N55 million ($400,000) in bribes to the National Assembly to pass an inflated budget.
4. Stella Oduah – Oduah was sacked because of the various controversies and scandals trailing her.
Oduah was removed in February 2014 as the Minister of Aviation by former President Goodluck Jonathan over corruption allegations.
Subsequently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on December 17, 2020, filed 25 counts accusing Oduah and the eight others of money laundering.
5. Prof. Adenike Grange – Prof. Adenike Grange and the then minister of state in the Ministry of Health, Gabriel Aduku bowed to pressure and bade an unwilling farewell to the cabinet of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua over a N300m scam.
She was investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and stood trial.
She claimed that she had been misadvised by her directors. The President had reportedly directed that all unspent money in the budget be returned but it was allegedly shared by officials of the Health Ministry as bonuses.
She resigned from office on 26 March 2008.
6. Betta Edu – Embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu was suspended over alleged money laundering.
Edu was under heavy criticism after a memo surfaced where she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
The instructions for the payment are contained in a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023.
Edu didn’t deny paying N585m into a private account. In defence, the Minister claimed the payment followed due process.
7. Sabo Nanono – On September 1, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the sacking of Sabo Nanono.
Nanono then was the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
8. Saleh Mamman – President Buhari also sacked Nanono’s counterpart in the power ministry, Saleh Mamman.
The then-presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina said the sack of the ministers was a sequel to a minor cabinet reshuffle after an ‘independent and critical self-review,’ that helped to identify ‘weak areas’ under this government.
The two ministers — Mamman and Nanono became the first set of ministers to be sacked by the then-president since he assumed office in 2015. His first set of ministers served out his first term.
9. Caleb Olubolade – In a surprise cabinet shake-up in 2014, Caleb Olubolade who was in charge of the then Ministry of Police Affairs, was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Olubolade was a front-runner in the Ekiti state governorship race 2014 election, under the Peoples Democratic Party. Olubolade was believed to have been fired to enable him to pursue his gubernatorial interests in Ekiti State.
10. Godsday Orubebe – Former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, was sacked from office. It was believed that Orubebe was removed to pursue his interest in the Delta State governorship election in 2015.
Back then, Orubebe was removed from office alongside three other ministers, including former aviation minister, Stella Oduah.
11. Yerima Ngama – President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 sacked the minister of state for finance, Yerima Ngama.
Ngama had declared his ambition to rule Yobe State in 2015.
12. Shamsudeen Usman – Former Minister of State, Works, Bashir Yuguda, was assigned to oversee the Ministry of National Planning following the sack of the longest-serving cabinet member, Shamsudeen Usman, who was first appointed minister by late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
13. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai – Former Education Minister, Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, was sacked from the federal cabinet in 2013.
She was the first female education minister from the northern part of Nigeria.
Before she was fired, Rufai, who became Education minister in 2011, was a member of the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Federal Government negotiation team, which was holding discussions with ASUU officials led by the Union’s President, Nasiru Fagge, who incidentally teaches at BUK.
However, the government team could not make any headway in resolving the issues that led to the strike which is now entering its third month, until Rufai left the government, unceremoniously.
14. Amal Iyingiala Pepple — she was the Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development until she was removed by President Jonathan.
Jonathan shocked members of the Federal Executive Council on September 10, 2013, when he announced the sack of ten members of the cabinet.
Unfortunately, Pepple was hit by the presidential axe.
15. Bukar Tijani – Bukar was sacked from office by former President Goodluck Jonathan in September 2013.
In 2023, Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum, appointed Bukar Tijani, as secretary to the state government (SSG).
He served as minister from July 2011 to September 2013.
16. Olusola Obada – Former Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada was in office from 2011 to 2012 and then as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence from 2012 to 2013 under the Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Obada was sacked alongside eight other ministers in a major reshuffle in September 2013.
17. Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi – Kuchi was minister of state for power and Niger Delta Affairs, respectively between 2011 and 2013, under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
On October 30, 2012, after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, President Jonathan directed that she swap her role with the former minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, Dairus Ishaku. The swap, President Jonathan said, was geared toward strengthening the sectors to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
On September 11, 2013, Kuchi was inadvertently sacked as minister during a FEC meeting alongside eight others. After her sacking, many thought that would mark her final exit from politics, but she staged a come-back in late 2014 when she was appointed as Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign coordinator for Niger state.