Tinubu’s New Federal Appointees Face Multibillion-Naira Corruption Allegations

Tinubu’s new federal appointees faced multibillion-naira corruption allegations.

NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reported that President Bola Tinubu on Saturday announced a fresh wave of appointments across key federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), sparking renewed scrutiny over the integrity of some of the selected individuals.

The new appointments cover institutions such as the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), and the Nigerian Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA). The announcement was made public by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

However, a review by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reveals that several of the appointees have previously faced serious allegations of corruption, raising questions about the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency.

Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya: NALDA Chair with Streetlight Scandal

Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, a serving senator from Katsina State, has been appointed chairman of NALDA. His name recently surfaced in a controversy over the misallocation of a public infrastructure project.

In 2023, a solar-powered streetlight project funded with N97 million through the Energy Commission of Nigeria was allegedly diverted from his constituency and installed at his private residence. Civic tech group Tracka flagged the irregularity, but there has been no public inquiry or response from Barkiya to date.

Ibrahim Shehu Shema: FCDA Head Amid Ongoing Legal Shadows

Ibrahim Shehu Shema, former governor of Katsina State, has been named the new chairman of the FCDA, the federal agency responsible for urban planning and land administration in Abuja.

Shema has been embroiled in multiple corruption cases. In 2017, he was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Katsina State government with allegedly embezzling N11 billion during his time in office. That case was dropped in 2023 through a nolle prosequi, ending prosecution without a verdict.

In a separate case, the EFCC accused him of misappropriating N5.7 billion under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). Although he challenged the court’s jurisdiction, Nigeria’s appellate courts ruled against him. The last known hearing on the matter was adjourned in February 2020.

Anyim Pius Anyim: Return to Power Despite Corruption Allegations

Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, has been appointed to chair the National Merit Awards Committee.

Anyim has faced several corruption allegations over the years, though none have led to formal charges. In 2015, a House of Representatives report labeled the Centenary City project under his watch as a “complete fraud,” calling for criminal investigations.

He was also linked to N520 million allegedly disbursed by former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki in the lead-up to the 2015 general elections. In 2021, Anyim was detained by the EFCC over alleged mismanagement of N780 million in aviation funds. Other concerns have included inflated contracts and discrepancies in asset declarations.

Anyim recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2024, a move that many political analysts interpret as part of a broader strategy to revive his public career.

Public Concern Over Integrity of Appointees

NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the inclusion of individuals with unresolved corruption allegations in Tinubu’s latest appointments has raised eyebrows among civic groups and opposition figures. Critics argue that the administration’s anti-corruption rhetoric is undermined by these choices, which appear to reward political loyalty over public accountability.

Despite the controversies, the presidency has yet to address concerns about the backgrounds of the appointees or clarify whether any vetting mechanisms were bypassed.