Beyond Sadiya and Betta: Unmasking the Systemic Rot in Social and Welfare Administration -By Adisa Muhammed

Imagine billions meant to uplift the poorest Nigerians, vanishing into the pockets of a privileged few. This is the grim reality exposed by the recent fraud saga in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, a sharp reminder that social welfare in Nigeria is a system teetering on the bad face of corruption and exploitation.

The stench of wrongdoings in the Ministry lingers from the past administration of Muhammadu Buhari, where Sadiya Farouq held the ministerial reins. During her tenure, noble government initiatives designed to improve citizens’ well-being – the Lockdown COVID-19 Palliative scheme, the Conditional Cash Transfer program, N-Power, N-SIP, and even the primary school feeding program – became twisted into elaborate fraud schemes. Accountability, it seemed, was an afterthought.

Fast forward to the present, and the recent discovery of ₦44.8 billion linked to Halima Shehu, the former coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), and the alleged ₦585 million cash transfer saga tied to Betta Edu, the suspended Minister, paint a chilling picture. Public officials, entrusted with the welfare of the most vulnerable, stand accused of lining their own pockets with funds meant for the less privileged, the unemployed, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and the poorest in society.

These shameless acts of embezzlement expose not just the moral bankruptcy of certain individuals, but also the gaping holes in Nigeria’s system of governance. As Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, aptly noted, the Betta Edu saga reveals “deep systemic issues affecting all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.” It’s a clarion call for robust monitoring mechanisms and unwavering commitment to holding public officials accountable.

Silence and apathy are luxuries we cannot afford. Civil society organizations and citizens must rise to the occasion, demanding transparency and wielding the power of public scrutiny. We must hold those in power accountable for every naira spent, ensuring that social welfare programs serve their intended purpose – alleviating suffering and fostering a more equitable society.

Political office holders and career officers, entrusted with the sacred duty of public service, must remember that leadership is not a playground for personal enrichment, but a privilege demanding service and sacrifice. The fear of God, a sense of duty, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the masses should be their guiding principles, not fleeting opportunities for self-aggrandizement.

The recent fraud saga is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a deeper malaise. We must act now, with vigilance and unwavering resolve, to dismantle the scaffolding of corruption and rebuild a social welfare system that truly serves the people it is meant to uplift. Only then can we break the cycle of broken promises and pave the way for a more just and equitable Nigeria.

By: Comr. ADISA, Muhammed (A.K.A. Polymath)
muhammedlukman68@gmail.com
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