Workers Protest, Boo Women Affairs Minister Over Alleged Poor Leadership

Employees of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on Thursday staged a protest at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, openly expressing displeasure with their minister, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

The workers, chanting slogans and booing the minister, accused her of neglect, arrogance, and poor leadership, claiming she has failed to provide basic tools for the ministry’s daily operations.

According to the protesting staff, the ministry has run short of essential work materials, including stationery, forcing them to fund official duties from their personal pockets. Meanwhile, they allege the minister maintains more than 25 special assistants.

Anne Ojubele, one of the workers, lamented: “We don’t have working tools. Even paper is not available. Many times, we use our personal money to carry out official assignments. When we complain, she tells us she is not accountable to us and that we should take our grievances to President Tinubu.”

Another staff member, Alake Success, described Sulaiman-Ibrahim as inaccessible and dismissive: “She has refused to mingle with staff. In a democracy, leaders should be accessible, but she makes herself appear superior. We want her redeployed to another ministry.”

In response, the ministry, through a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Eze, acknowledged the workers’ right to air grievances but urged staff to operate within civil service rules and professional boundaries.

The statement defended the minister, describing her as a certified Human Resource Manager committed to staff welfare, motivation, and professional development “within the limits of available resources.”

It further clarified that Sulaiman-Ibrahim is not the ministry’s Chief Accounting Officer, stressing that financial management and staff administration fall under the Permanent Secretary, who is expected to engage with directors, assess grievances, and make recommendations.