Betta Edu, a Nigerian medical doctor turned politician made quite a name for herself in the country’s political landscape.
Born on October 27, 1986, in Lagos, Nigeria, she’s achieved impressive milestones in her career, including becoming the youngest person to be appointed Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Cross River State on Community and Primary Healthcare in 2015.
Edu held various prominent positions, such as Cross River State Commissioner for Health, National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, and National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress.
When she was sworn in as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in August 2023, she became the first female minister from Cross River State and the youngest minister in Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council.
She was seen as the embodiment of the hopes of young Nigerians who feel relegated to the rear when it comes to leadership opportunities. The youths saw her as their ambassador.
However, Financial impropriety claims started trailing her. It came to a head when the sum of ₦585 million in ministry funds was traced to her personal bank account.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The investigation reportedly recovered ₦30 billion from accounts linked to Edu, with over 50 bank accounts under probe.
