President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointment of Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has stirred significant controversy. Alli-Macaulay, a former Lagos State lawmaker, is infamous for her derogatory comments about Nigerian youth and her alleged misuse of COVID-19 palliatives.
Background on Alli-Macaulay’s Controversial Past
Alli-Macaulay first garnered public attention in October 2020 during a plenary session of the Lagos House of Assembly. In the wake of the #EndSARS protests, which highlighted police brutality and governance issues, she made a sweeping statement accusing most Nigerian youths of being perpetually under the influence of drugs. “We need to begin to orientate our young people. They are high on drugs all the time, most of them,” she remarked, adding that she feared giving her children phones due to the nature of social media content.
This comment drew widespread condemnation, but her reputation was further tarnished when she was accused of repurposing COVID-19 palliatives as birthday souvenirs. Photos circulated online showed cartons of noodles, provided by the private sector alliance CACOVID to help vulnerable populations during the pandemic, repackaged with Alli-Macaulay’s image and distributed as personal gifts.
Public Outcry and Investigations
The allegations of misconduct led to significant backlash. BudgIT, a civic organization using technology for citizen engagement, and Connected Development (CODE), an NGO focused on empowering marginalized communities, petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Alli-Macaulay. Her constituents also called for her recall, citing poor representation and theft of aid meant for the needy.
Despite these controversies, Alli-Macaulay has now been appointed to a prominent federal position, a move that has sparked further outrage. Critics argue that this appointment is indicative of a broader pattern of rewarding individuals with questionable pasts.
Public Reaction to the Appointment
Social media users and public figures have voiced their displeasure with President Tinubu’s decision. One user on the platform X (formerly Twitter), @loveog2002, sarcastically commented, “Accused of stealing ordinary COVID-19 palliatives, what is the reward? Come and be in charge of the National Social Insurance Trust Fund! You can’t make this up; this is Nigeria.” Another user, Seun Onigbinde, remarked, “The government is simply run as a social recruitment plan.” Similar sentiments were echoed by @iamrildwanbello, who stated, “The reward of stealing palliative is that you will manage an even bigger palliative.”
Broader Implications for Governance
This appointment also brings to light other controversial decisions by the Tinubu administration. For instance, the appointment of Atiku Bagudu, a former Kebbi State governor with ties to the late dictator Sani Abacha, as the Minister of Budget and Planning, raised eyebrows. In April, the U.S. government expressed concerns about Tinubu’s commitment to curbing corruption, suggesting that his administration might be continuing the corrupt practices of its predecessors.
Conclusion
The appointment of Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay as Executive Director of NSITF is a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s governance. As public discontent grows, it remains to be seen how President Tinubu’s administration will address these concerns and whether it will take steps to restore public trust.
