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Tinubu: Don’t Scrap Humanitarian Ministry, Appoint a Competent Leadership
By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi
The most current and widely circulated topic in Nigeria’s public domain is the purported cabinet reshuffling of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration. According to sources, the move is aimed at strengthening the mode of governance whereby some heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will be redeployed while others may even lose their positions.
Amidst this anticipated saga, one issue that caught the attention of citizens is the speculations surrounding the plan by President Tinubu to scrap the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. This ‘unconfirmed’ leaked information has raised concerns among various sectors of the populace, especially looking at the strategic roles played by the Ministry in uplifting the lives of Nigerians.
While the administration’s pursuit of efficiency and the fight against corruption is commendable, the decision to dissolve a ministry that addresses the welfare of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens would be a grave mistake and at the same time counterproductive.
Because, stakeholders, pundits and analysts believed that instead of abandoning the ministry, President Tinubu should consider reforming and reinvigorating it to serve as a powerful tool in improving the lives of millions of Nigerians thereby serving the purpose of its creation.
The Ministry which was established in 2019 by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to provide essential services to Nigeria’s most disadvantaged populations, including people with special needs, displaced persons, and those living in abject poverty. The ministry’s scope spans a wide range of humanitarian efforts, from managing social safety nets and alleviating poverty to responding to natural disasters and emergencies.
In a country with widespread poverty, high unemployment, and ongoing humanitarian crises, occasioned by insecurity and natural disasters such as flooding, the ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians do not fall through the cracks.
Nigeria has a staggering population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to terrorism, banditry, and natural disasters. As of December 2023, Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reported a total of 3,397,531 internally displaced persons (IDPs), 1,874,283 IDP returnees, and 209,552 refugee returnees living in more than 3,900 locations across 14 states in Nigeria.
Based on statistics, disbanding the ministry would lead to a vacuum in the delivery of humanitarian services, particularly to IDPs, people living with disabilities, and marginalized communities who depend on government interventions for survival.
Moreover, scrapping the ministry would erode the capacity to coordinate responses during disasters such as floods, pandemics, and other emergencies, leaving Nigeria less equipped to handle crises. The existence of a dedicated humanitarian ministry serves as an institutional framework that can effectively mobilize resources, both from within and outside the country, to manage these challenges.
No doubt, for the past years, the ministry has been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, notably involving the immediate past minister, Sadiya Farouq, and more recently, the suspended minister, Dr. Betta Edu. However, corruption in the ministry should not justify its dissolution. Instead, it underscores the need for a stronger leadership structure—one based on transparency, accountability, and commitment to humanitarian ideals.
Therefore, President Tinubu’s administration, with its pledge to tackle corruption and restore public trust, should prioritize appointing an individual who embodies the values of integrity, dedication, and genuine concern for the plight of the underprivileged.
Only such a leader could transform the ministry into an efficient vehicle for poverty alleviation, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance, thereby restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the government’s commitment to their welfare.
It is an evident and undeniable fact that one of the most promising candidates for leading this transformation is Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, the Chief Executive Officer of the QAT Foundation. Hajiya Tejuosho is widely known for her philanthropic work, and her dedication to serving Nigeria’s vulnerable populations is second to none.
Over the years, she has been using her resources through the Foundation to provide scholarships for underprivileged students, empower women and youths, and support people living with disabilities. Her hands-on experience in humanitarian service, along with her impeccable track record, makes her an ideal candidate to restore the ministry to its full potential.
Appointing Hajiya Halimat Tejuosho as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation would not only ensure that the ministry continues to serve its vital role but also restore its lost glory. Her principles of inclusiveness and her deep commitment to providing relief and support to those in need resonate with the ministry’s core mission.
Hajiya Tejuosho’s work through the QAT Foundation has reached countless Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country, and her influence has been felt in urban and rural communities alike. Under her leadership, the ministry could shift from being seen as a corrupt and ineffective institution to one known for its compassion, transparency, and efficiency.
Moreover, beyond the direct impact on citizens’ lives, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs can serve as a strategic tool for the Tinubu administration to enhance its public image. By appointing a capable and compassionate leader like Halimat Tejuosho, President Tinubu would signal his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. This would resonate well with the Nigerian public, especially in this time of economic hardship exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and other structural adjustments.
A well-functioning humanitarian ministry would provide immediate and tangible benefits to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable, creating goodwill towards the administration. Social protection programs, like those handled by the ministry, can help alleviate poverty, reduce inequalities, and foster social stability.
It is evident that when citizens see their lives improve through government programs, it builds trust in the government and strengthens the social contract. In this sense, the ministry could play a key role in promoting and selling the image of President Tinubu as a leader who truly cares about the people.
Nevertheless, rather than dismantling the Ministry, the Tinubu administration should focus on its reform and rejuvenation. By placing the right leadership at the helm, particularly someone like Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, the ministry can be revitalized to serve its intended purpose. The focus should be on expanding social safety nets, improving disaster response mechanisms, and creating more opportunities for people living with disabilities, women, and youths.
In the broader context of national development, the ministry can help address Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges. Poverty and inequality remain critical issues that demand focused government intervention. Effective humanitarian assistance and poverty alleviation efforts can mitigate the effects of these problems, contributing to national stability and growth.
Ultimately, the Tinubu administration has an opportunity to turn this moment of uncertainty into one of promise by re-envisioning the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs as a cornerstone of its social agenda.
Therefore, reforming the ministry by assigning a capable leadership, the Tinubu administration can leave a lasting legacy that reflects its commitment to building a fairer, more just society.
Believe me, appointing Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho would mark the beginning of that transformative journey, bringing new hope to the vulnerable populations that the ministry was designed to serve.
MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi is a concerned citizen. He wrote from Kano via: ymukhtar944@gmail.com
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group argues that the suspension is unlawful and violates her fundamental right to freedom of expression.
SERAP is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio to reverse the six-month suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative privileges. The organization also wants an injunction preventing the Senate from imposing further disciplinary actions against her for expressing her views.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she reportedly spoke without permission and rejected a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. As part of her suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.
In its suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP contends that the suspension deprives Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of political representation. The organization also argues that penalizing a senator for exercising free speech creates a chilling effect on other lawmakers.
“No one should ever be punished for speaking without permission,” SERAP stated. “The Senate should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not suppress them.”
The group cites constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties, including Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
SERAP maintains that the Senate Standing Orders cannot override constitutional guarantees of free speech. The lawsuit emphasizes that restricting a senator’s expression undermines democracy and violates Nigerians’ right to receive information and participate politically.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of members of market associations and numerous women groups in Kaduna state at the weekend, occupied Kaduna metropolis in a peaceful demonstration where they reiterated their loyalty and support to the administration of
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protesters who alleged that they had bitter experiences during the El-Rufa’i administration, said they would remain where Governor Uba Sani stood and advised the citizens of Kaduna not to be deceived by doing the contrary.
They recounted their ordeals during the 8 years of the previous administration, alleging that hundreds of market shops belonging to individuals were either seized, demolished or confiscated, a situation that triggered ill health in many traders and business owners leading to paralysis and multiple deaths of their colleagues.
“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”
“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.
He explained that “this incumbent Governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds .”
He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.
” Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.
Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader,Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him,” we have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”
“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”
“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.
Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over the selection process of traditional rulers in Nigeria, stating that criminal elements have infiltrated royal institutions. He lamented that individuals with questionable backgrounds, including drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers, now hold positions of authority as traditional rulers.
Obasanjo made these remarks in his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, unveiled last week. He criticized the rapid increase in traditional rulers, many of whom, he claimed, lack the training and moral integrity required for the role. According to him, this deterioration has weakened the institution’s ability to contribute positively to the nation’s socio-political stability.
“Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers,” Obasanjo stated, stressing that some have abandoned their cultural responsibilities and engaged in misconduct. He cited an example of a monarch allegedly involved in electoral malpractice, questioning the moral integrity of such leaders.
“How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?” he queried.
Reflecting on the past, Obasanjo noted that traditional rulers once commanded immense respect, especially during colonial and early post-independence eras. However, he said, their influence has been diluted due to the lack of proper training and moral reformation.
“The class of traditional rulers with their distinction, honour, and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted,” he remarked.
Calling for urgent reforms, the former president stressed the need to restore the lost dignity of traditional leadership. He emphasized that rather than being a liability, traditional rulers should play a vital role in national development.
“That dignity, aura, and respect should be brought back, and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and greatness, not a liability,” he asserted.
Obasanjo further called for moral rejuvenation among traditional rulers, particularly those from historically significant institutions. He maintained that if properly positioned, they could contribute significantly to Nigeria’s long-term progress.
“There is a need for moral re-armament among the traditional rulers—the ancient and historic ones. They can and should make meaningful contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams that will serve the purpose and interest of all,” he concluded.
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