Buhari fires NIPC executive secretary, Saratu Umar

By Business A.M.

President Muhammadu Buhari has terminated the appointment of Saratu Umar as the executive secretary/chief executive officer of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), with immediate effect.

The decision was contained in a statement issued by Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesperson.

Though no reason was given for Umar’s dismissal, the statement noted that the president has in a directive to Adeniyi Adebayo, the minister of industry, trade and investment, mandated the most senior director in the commission to immediately take over in the interim.

Interestingly, this is the second time Umar will be sacked as the NIPCexecutive secretary, as she was removed from the position by former president,Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Jonathan had removed Umar over allegations of abuse of office and high-handedness against her from some directors and staff of the agency. It was also alleged that she leaked information on the granting of questionable tax waivers estimated to be worth $20 billion.

Umar was reappointed by Buhari in July 2022 to take over the helm of affairs of the Commission.