Seven years ago, President Muhammadu Buhari removed Saratu Umar as the Director General of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC. Her sack at the time came barely one year after former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed her into the position.
She, surprisingly returned to her former post in 2022 after President Buhari brought her back.
The NIPC Boss has been sacked again.
The magazine has yet to uncover the reason why she was sacked this time around, but her removal may not be unconnected with the political rivalry in the commission, according to those familiar with what is going on there.
When The Source asked sources in the NIPC why their former boss was removed, none of them could confirm what actually transpired that led to her sack.
“We cannot tell why the president suddenly removed her. But I can confirm to you that there has been serious infighting among the tops shot in the commission. The NIPC has been highly politicised, to the extent that those who have connection in the Presidency are now using their influence to destabilise the commission,” one of the sources said.
On whether Saratu was removed because of corruption the source state that ” I think you should find that out. There are appropriate government agencies that are responsible for fighting corruption.”
Announcing her removal on Thursday, Femi Adesina, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity said her has been communicated to Adeniyi Adebayo, the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Her removal the president’s spokesman said took immediate effect.
“In a directive to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON, the President also mandated the most senior Director in the Commission to immediately take over in the interim,” Adesina said in the statement.
Saratu was first appointed in July 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan’s government but was sacked in 2015. On July 5, 2022, President Buhari appointed her for a five-year term.
