President Bola Tinubu took action on Monday, January 8, by suspending Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, following accusations of a N585 million scandal within the ministry.
Here are ten key facts about the suspended minister:
1. Betta Edu hails from Abi Local Government Area in Cross River State.
2. She was born on October 27, 1986.
3. She previously served as the national women leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
4. Edu held the position of Cross River State Commissioner for Health until her resignation in 2022.
5. She also served as the National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.
6. In 2015, she made history as the youngest person appointed as Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade, focusing on Community and Primary Healthcare.
7. Edu assumed the role of chairman for the Cross River State COVID-19 Taskforce in 2020.
8. She was sworn in as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in August 2023; subsequently, the All Progressives Congress replaced her as the National Women Leader.
9. Recent media reports have highlighted an alleged N585 million scandal involving Betta Edu in her ministerial capacity.
10. Edu was officially suspended from her ministerial position on January 8, 2024, pending further investigation.