ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu is facing increasing pressure to dismiss Dr. Yusuf Maina Bukar, Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), following allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
On Wednesday, July 10, the Advocacy for Positive Impact Initiative, an anti-corruption advocacy group, held a press conference in Abuja demanding Dr. Bukar’s immediate removal. The group, dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability, accused Dr. Bukar of severe misconduct.
Amb. Austine Peacemaker, the group’s press director, stated that Dr. Bukar is involved in embezzling funds meant for the Great Green Wall Initiative. These funds were intended to combat desertification and land degradation. Furthermore, Dr. Bukar is accused of nepotism, appointing unqualified family members and associates to key positions within NAGGW, bypassing merit-based criteria.
Under Dr. Bukar’s leadership, the group claimed, NAGGW has not effectively fulfilled its mandate despite substantial funding. Delays, inefficiencies, and financial mismanagement have plagued the agency’s projects.
“The Director-General has demonstrated a lack of competence, resulting in significant delays, inefficiencies, and failures in project implementation,” said Amb. Peacemaker. “This incompetence has led to the wastage of public funds and hindered national development efforts, while at the same time running the agency as his personal estate.”
The advocacy group called on President Tinubu to take immediate action and relieve Dr. Bukar of his duties. They also urged the National Assembly to conduct thorough investigations and public hearings to probe the allegations.
Additionally, the group appealed to the Federal Ministry of Environment to restore transparency and accountability within NAGGW. They warned that ignoring these allegations would undermine public trust in the agency and the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
The group emphasized the importance of holding any public official guilty of misconduct and mismanagement accountable to maintain public confidence in government institutions.
