Minister Alleges Buhari Spent $100m World Bank Women Empowerment Loan on Meetings

Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has criticized the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for allegedly spending the initial $100 million out of a $500 million World Bank loan for women empowerment on meetings, advocacy, and consultancy.

Ohanenye expressed these concerns during an interview with Arise News on Monday. She emphasized that the funds were a loan, not a grant, and highlighted the importance of responsible management to ensure repayment.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for his active role in overseeing the project, particularly his scrutiny of the initial $100 million expenditure. Ohanenye mentioned that upon reviewing the spending, both she and Tinubu were dissatisfied with how the funds were utilized.

She stressed the need for loans to be managed effectively so that they can be repaid, emphasizing that mismanagement could lead to continued debt for Nigeria. Ohanenye mentioned that the initial $100 million was primarily spent on activities like advocacy, meetings, and consultancies, which she believed did not align with the goals of the project.