Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, is under fire as staff of her ministry on Wednesday staged a protest in Abuja, accusing her of neglecting their welfare and sidelining workers’ needs.
The aggrieved workers accused the ministry of failing to provide welfare packages, training, and reimbursements for official trips.
In a viral video, the workers alleged that they had been denied welfare packages, training opportunities, and reimbursement for official trips.
One protesting staff member lamented, “Allowances for trips made in January and throughout 2023 remain unpaid.”
Others, speaking anonymously, claimed that since the assumption of office by Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, staff welfare had been sidelined.
“We have no working materials, no welfare. Staff due for promotional exams have not been allowed to write them,” one worker said.
Another protester faulted the minister’s priorities, saying: “The domestic policy is more important than the external. Before you empower outsiders, you must empower those working under you.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who succeeded Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has yet to respond to the allegations.
The protest comes amid similar demonstrations in other ministries. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Finance witnessed protests by TUC members and pensioners, while education and health workers have also embarked on strikes over unpaid allowances.