Tinubu’s anniversary event sparks financial regulation breach

The Ministry of Youth Development spent N20 million to invite 50 youths from across Nigeria’s 36 states to the presidential villa for the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to FIJ.

This expenditure was made in violation of financial regulations.

President Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, initiated policy changes aimed at saving the country money, including the controversial removal of the fuel subsidy.

Despite these efforts, the youth ministry, led by Jamila Ibrahim, allocated significant funds for the celebratory event marking his first year in office.

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N10M payment scandal rocks Nigeria’s presidency

The ministry made two payments of N10 million each to Dahiru Jibril on May 25, 2024, with different payment numbers. Each payment described: “Being payment for invitation of 50 youths from 36 states of the federation to participate in the celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first year anniversary at the presidential villa.” The payments had codes 1001185448-1 and 1001185448-2.

This payment process violated Nigeria’s Financial Regulations, which prohibit public money from being paid into private accounts. Chapter 7, Section 713 of the regulations states: “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account. Any officer who pays public money into a private account is deemed to have done so with fraudulent intention.”

Nigeria’s top youth platform, Topnaija previously reported a similar violation by the State House headquarters, which made a N10 million payment to a private account on March 15 for purchasing consumables for Nana Shettima, wife of Vice President Kashim Shettima Read more here.