Staff of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on Wednesday, September 10, staged a protest in Abuja against the supervising Minister, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, over alleged neglect of their welfare.
In a viral video from the protest, workers accused the ministry of failing to provide welfare packages, training opportunities, and reimbursement for official assignments. They also lamented that allowances for trips taken as far back as January 2023 remain unpaid.
One staff member, Anne Ojubele, decried the poor working conditions, noting that basic supplies were unavailable.
“We don’t have working tools at all. Even a piece of paper to write with, we do not have. And most of the time when we go on an official assignment, we use our personal money,” she said. “She told us she is accountable to Mr President and that we should go and meet the Permanent Secretary for anything we need.”
Another protester, Alake Success, accused the minister of being inaccessible to staff.
“This woman refused to meet with the staff. We have taken all necessary steps; a year of endurance. The beauty of democracy is to have access to your leader. This woman thinks that she is more special than us,” he said. “She came with legions of SAs—more than 25. What we want, if possible, is that she should be posted to another ministry.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim was appointed Minister of Women Affairs in October 2024 after the removal of Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.