Not since the turbulent days of First Republic Nigeria and the military-led regime of General Yakubu Gowon has any administration given such primacy to youth inclusion in governance as President Bola Tinubu. Right from the outset of his successful campaign for the Presidency, Tinubu made clear his intention to tap from the boundless energy, resourcefulness and dynamism of Nigerian youths by making them an integral part of his ‘Renewed Hope’ administration.
Since the inauguration of his administration last year, Tinubu has appointed many deserving Nigerian youths to ministerial and executive positions in key ministries, departments and agencies. The roll call of youthful appointees who are below the age of 45 includes Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Innovation; Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior; Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State, Police Affairs; Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy; Shuaibu Audu, Minister of Steel. Others are Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation; Zacchaeus Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Khalil Khalil, CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure; and the youngest minister in this dispensation, Dr Betta Edu, of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Edu’s recent suspension by Tinubu after a week of swirling accusations of financial misconduct against her to the tune of N585m has brought to a temporary halt the meteoric political rise of the young medical doctor from Cross River State after a leaked memo showed that she had requested in December 2023 from the Accountant-General of the Federation to transfer money from the account of the National Social Investment Office to the private account of the Project Accountant of the Federal Government’s Grants for Vulnerable Groups project, which ran contrary to the provisions of the Financial Regulation Act 2009 which expressly states in Chapter 7, Section 713 that, “Personal money shall in no circumstance be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account.”
Her suspension also comes on the heels of the suspension of the head of the Federal Government’s National Social Investment Agency, Mrs Halima Shehu, for a similar infraction by the President. The suspension of Edu and Shehu casts a long shadow over the promise and perils of youth inclusivity in governance. While their cases, currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as directed by Mr President, await due process, the mere suggestion of financial infractions at such high levels demands introspection, not just for the individuals involved, but for a generation of young political appointees entrusted with the reins of power by Tinubu. The allure of power, especially for young individuals thrust into positions of influence, can be intoxicating. However, the recent events surrounding Edu and Shehu serve as a grim reminder that power is not a plaything, but a sacred trust. It comes with immense responsibility and demands the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Edu’s appointment from the outset was met with mixed reactions. While some praised her expertise in social development and women mobilisation, others, especially established members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, questioned her political experience and qualifications for the high-profile role. Also, the manner of her emergence as the APC National Women leader caused much debate with some viewing her appointment as political compensation for the immediate-past governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, under whom she served as the Commissioner for Health. Recent allegations of financial mismanagement within her ministry and lead agency, NSIA, under her purview further ignited a media firestorm, leaving Tinubu with no choice but to order her suspension.
The temptation to cut corners, circumvent established procedures, or succumb to the allure of quick gains for young political appointees can be immense. Edu’s ordeal therefore should serve as a wake-up call for some of them in the present dispensation. They must do well to remember that the public eye is always watching, and any misstep can have devastating consequences, not just for their career, like in Betta Edu’s case, but for the reputation of the government, and millions of people who rely on the programmes headlined by their MDAs for survival and lastly, on Nigerian youths aspiring legitimately to positions of responsibility in the public service.
Edu’s story, if proven true after diligent investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as announced by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, is a cautionary tale. It serves as a stark reminder that the intoxicating elixir of unexpected power can be a double-edged sword. The temptation to circumvent established systems and procedures, to rely on personal networks instead of institutional frameworks, can lead to a slippery slope. Young appointees must remember that public service is not a playground for personal aggrandisement, but a sacred trust demanding the utmost integrity and adherence to the law.
It is a point worth making that Edu’s ordeal can be traced directly to a seemingly rocky relationship with the core civil servants in her ministry – a conclusion which can be drawn from the rash of leaked memos and other documents into the public space which all but led to her suspension. Beyond the allure of power, there lies a treasure trove of wisdom within the ranks of experienced civil servants. These are the men and women who have toiled through administrations, witnessed the ebb and flow of political tides, and possess institutional memory invaluable for navigating the complexities of governance.
Humility, then, becomes a crucial virtue. Young appointees must shed the arrogance of assumed expertise and embrace the humbling truth that experience whispers lessons power often deafens itself to. True leadership lies not in dictating from above, but in collaborating with those below. Keeping civil servants abreast of policy decisions and actions is not a sign of weakness but a mark of true strength. It fosters ownership, builds trust, and harnesses the collective wisdom of the institution. By creating an environment of open communication and shared responsibility, young leaders can harness the full potential of the machinery they are entrusted with.
The present crop of young appointees in Tinubu’s government must do well to learn practical lessons from Edu’s travails. Edu’s case is a painful reminder that the path to public service is fraught with pitfalls. For young appointees, it is a clarion call to resist the sirens of temptation, embrace humility, and learn from the wisdom of experience. The road ahead demands not just ambition, but also prudence; not just innovation, but also respect for established norms. Only then can the promise of the youth truly blossom in the service of a better Nigeria.
- Shehu, Strategic Lead at Line-BorderPoint NG, writes via [email protected]
