Betta Chimaobim Edu (born October 27, 1986; Age: 37 years) is a prominent Nigerian female politician. She gained national attention for her role as the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. However, her reputation has recently been scrutinized due to a publicized controversy involving an alleged transfer of 585 million nairas (equivalent to $640,000 or £500,000) into a private bank account.
The controversy unfolded when Betta Edu faced public criticism for her involvement in authorizing the significant financial transaction. The funds, purportedly transferred into the private account of a civil servant responsible for managing grants aimed at assisting vulnerable Nigerians, raised concerns and triggered public outrage.
Early Life
Betta Edu was born and raised in Cross River State, where she was raised under her parent’s guidance. Her father is recognized as Mr Emmanuel Eke, while her mother’s details remain unknown.
During her formative years, Betta Edu completed her secondary education at the Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, in 2001. Subsequently, she pursued higher education, earning her first degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Calabar in 2009.
Betta Edu’s commitment to public health is evident in her academic achievements. She holds a postgraduate diploma in public health for developing countries from the prestigious London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Her educational journey continued with a master’s degree in Public Health in Developing Countries, also from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Building on this foundation, Betta Edu furthered her academic pursuits, culminating in attaining a Doctor of Public Health degree from Texila American University. Through her educational endeavors, Betta Edu has equipped herself with the knowledge and expertise to contribute significantly to the field of public health.
Career
Betta Edu embarked on her political career in 2015 when she was appointed the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade, focusing on Community and Primary Healthcare initiatives.
Her influence within the health sector expanded, leading to her appointment as the National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum and the Cross River State COVID-19 Taskforce chairmanship in 2020. In these roles, she demonstrated leadership in addressing health-related issues on both national and state levels.
The pinnacle of her political career came in July 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Betta Edu as a minister during the unveiling of the 28 nominees for ministerial appointments by the Nigerian Senate. This historic nomination positioned her as the first female minister from Cross River State and distinguished her as the youngest minister in the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria in the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
Assuming office in August 2023, Betta Edu became the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. In this critical role, she was tasked with addressing issues related to humanitarian efforts and developing strategies for poverty reduction in the country.
However, her career trajectory took an unexpected turn in January 2024 when she faced suspension from her ministerial office due to allegations of fraudulent activities. The controversy surrounded her authorization to transfer N585.2 million into the private bank account of a civil servant responsible for managing grants for vulnerable Nigerians.
This incident sparked public outrage, prompting President Tinubu to suspend Betta Edu and call for a thorough investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Personal Life
Betta Edu is currently in a marital union and is a proud mother of two children. Despite her public profile, she has maintained privacy regarding her personal life, keeping details about her husband, Mr. Edu, and her children undisclosed.
Social Media
- Instagram: @dr_betta
Net Worth
Betta Edu has an estimated net worth of about US$ 1 million – US$5 million.
