In a revealing interview with Channels Television, the former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy‑Ohanenye, has alleged that she was effectively locked out of the financial planning of her own ministry. She claimed that approved budgets were drafted without her input and that critical funding was consistently withheld during her time in office.
Key Financial Allegations:
Personal Funding: To keep ministry projects running, Kennedy‑Ohanenye claimed she spent ₦400 million of her personal money. She specifically noted her frustration over a lack of transparency regarding a $100 million "Nigerian Women Project," which she felt necessitated her personal intervention.
The EFCC Dispute: The former minister revealed that her own Permanent Secretary petitioned the EFCC against her, alleging a ₦138 million fraud. She laughed off the figure, suggesting it was far too small an amount to be considered a serious "theft" for someone at her level, and maintained her innocence.
Pending Reimbursements: She stated that she is still awaiting repayment from the Federal Government for the private funds she used to cover official state programs.
The Civil Service Friction: Her tenure was marked by sharp clashes with bureaucrats and event planners. She frequently accused outside organizers of impersonating ministry staff or holding events without authorization, occasionally involving security agencies to make arrests.
