Crime

Youth Ministry Pays N20 Million for Youth Invitations for Tinubu’s First Anniversary, Breaching Financial Regulations

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 3rd, 2024.

Youth Ministry Pays N20 Million for Youth Invitations for Tinubu’s First Anniversary, Breaching Financial Regulations

To commemorate the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Ministry of Youth Development invited 50 youths from each of Nigeria’s 36 states to the presidential villa, incurring a cost of N20 million. This expenditure, however, was made in violation of financial regulations, as reported by FIJ.

President Tinubu, who took office on May 29, 2023, initiated several policy changes aimed at cost-saving measures, including the controversial removal of the fuel subsidy, which had immediate economic repercussions.

To celebrate his first year in office, the presidency organized a grand event at the villa. In preparation for this milestone, the youth ministry, led by Jamila Ibrahim, disbursed N20 million to facilitate the attendance of the youths. The ministry made two payments of N10 million each to Dahiru Jibril on May 25, 2024, as recorded on the Govspend portal, with each payment assigned a different number.

The payment descriptions stated: “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,” with codes 1001185448-1 and 1001185448-2.

By transferring public funds into a private account, the ministry contravened Nigeria’s Financial Regulations. Chapter 7, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations (2009), explicitly prohibits the deposit of personal funds into government accounts and vice versa. Any officer who deposits public funds into a private account is considered to have done so with fraudulent intent.

Previously, FIJ reported a similar breach when the State House headquarters paid N10 million into a private account on March 15 for the purchase of consumables for Nana Shettima, the wife of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

These incidents underscore ongoing issues with financial compliance within government institutions, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.