Do you want to know who Dr Betta Edu is? Good. In this article, you will get information about Betta Edu biography: age, award, net worth, and all the related information you may desire about her.
We are now in a world where women of value and substance are waxing stronger and writing themselves good stories through their commitment to making impactful changes in society. Dr. Betta Edu is one of those great women whose careers and success stories serve as pathfinders for this and the coming generation.
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Table of Content
Betta Edu Biography and Background
Betta Edu’s Early Career and Breakthrough
Betta Edu Biography and Background
She is Betta Chimaobim Edu, a Nigerian medical doctor and health specialist turned politician from Cross River, South-South. Betta Edu was born into a Christian family of Mr. Emmanuel Eke on October 27, 1986. Her father, Mr. Emmanuel Eke, was a businessman who also worked with an engineering firm and later became a missionary when he returned to Nigeria from London. She is a twin with four siblings—a twin brother and three sisters.
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Although born in Lagos State, Dr. Betta Edu started her early life in London, United Kingdom, with her family until she was 8 when she returned to Nigeria for early education. She attended Charles Walker International Nursery and Primary School in Calabar for her school leaving certificate in 1995. She proceeded with her academic sojourn by completing her secondary school education and earned an SSCE certificate at the Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, in 2001.
As a lover of education born by a disciplinarian, Emmanuel Eke, Betta furthered her education and completed her first-degree program in Medicine and Surgery (MBBCh) from the University of Calabar, Cross River State, in 2009.
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In 2012, Betta Edu observed her compulsory one-year service to her country, Nigeria, through the established platform, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in Calabar as the Chief Medical Director at the Cross River State Camp. She also served as the team lead medical officer at the government house.
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After her NYSC, she did not pause her academic pursuits. In 2014, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health for Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Master’s in Public Health from the same institution.
Dr Betta Chimaobim Edu earned her Ph.D. in Public Health from Texila American University. She turned 38 on October 27th, 2024. She has been married to Mr. Edu for over 14 years and has 2 children.
Betta Edu’s Early Career and Breakthrough
Betta Edu’s career and rise to stardom are a product of resilience, commitment, and contributions to the Public Health Sector and humanitarian services in Nigeria and beyond. She started her career as a medical officer at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital between February 2011 and 2012. She advanced after a series of impacts in various health sectors. She is also a fellow of the Royal School of Public Health and the African Institute of Public Health Professionals.
In 2015, Dr. Betta Edu became the youngest special adviser on community and primary health care to the then-executive governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade. Also, in 2020, she was elected the Cross River State COVID-19 Taskforce leader and the National Chairman of the Nigerian Health Commissioner Forum in August of the same year.
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Betta Edu also served as the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Photo Credit: Nairaland Forum
However, her political career wore a progressive gown when she became the youngest All Progressive Congress Party (APC) National Women Leader in March 2022. She was previously a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party before she defected to the APC with her principal, Benedict Ayade, in 2021.
In 2023, in recognition and appreciation of her sterling impacts in driving the party’s interests forward, she was nominated for a ministerial position by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She was appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation by the Senate after a pass mark during the screening.
She was the first female minister from Cross River State and the youngest Minister at the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria in the fourth Nigerian Republic.
There are many controversies and accusations surrounding Dr Edu. In 2020, Betta was accused of posting fake photos of ventilators, which, according to the River State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, is professional misconduct. The association passed a vote of no confidence in Edu for the alleged misconduct. However, Betta claims the accusation was politically attached. She believes Nigerian politics is somehow tricky, and people can go to any length to blemish others’ status to achieve their political goals.
In 2022, her emergence as the National Women Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was challenged as Edu was accused of procedural misconduct during her campaign.
Also, on 8 January 2024, Dr Betta C Edu was suspended from her ministerial position for allegedly diverting ₦585 million in Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation funds to a personal account. The president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a deep and unbiased investigation. As confirmed by the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukayode, the investigation shows the diversion of public funds into some personal accounts and had recovered an equivalent of $24 million from about 50 accounts linked to Dr Betta Chimaobim Edu.
However, as of the EFCC’s update in April 2024, Edu has not been legally charged or discharged from her position; she is only on suspension.
Betta Edu’s Net Worth
As earlier positioned, Betta Edu is a successful health practitioner, a politician, and a serial businesswoman. Her income comes largely from these mentioned professions attributed to her. As of 2024, her Net Worth is estimated to be $500,000.
Awards
Awards are presented to acknowledge and recognize someone’s immense contribution to a course or an activity. They could be awards for leadership, professional, or humanitarian services. Dr. Betta Edu has committed to impacting lives with her medical and leadership knowledge and has been recognized with various leadership, professional, and humanitarian affairs awards. Below are some of the awards bagged by Betta Edu for her selfless services:
- She was recognized as one of 50 future leaders in Nigeria in 2017.
- Commissioner of the Year (UN-SDG) in 2020.
- Award of Excellence, National Youth Council of Nigeria (2020).
- Award of Gender Inclusion, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (2023).
- Most dedicated Students Unionist of the Year (SUG), University of Calabar, Nigeria, in 2007/2008.
- Class of 2010 Best All Round Award, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Calabar, Nigeria in 2010.
- Yala Achiever’s Award, 2019.
- Hero of COVID-19, National Youth Council of Nigeria, 2020.
- Medical Expert of the Year (2020).
- Nigeria Quintessential Woman Award, 2020.
- Ambassador of Good Will of the State of Arkansas—Arkansas Traveler award for visitors who have made an immense contribution to the development of the state of Arkansas, 2009.
- Rotarian Humanitarian of the Year, 2016.
- Pan African Award for Humanitarian Services, 2018.
- UN ECOSOC SCS – UNESCO AFRICAN Humanitarian award; United Nations Economic and Social Council.
- Fellowship Award for Distinguished Professional Contribution to the Public Service Council of the Institute of Corporate Administration.
Betta Edu’s Social Media
We are in a digital age where there are quick means to reach and get to know about someone. One of the fastest digital means to read about a personality is “Social Media.” Betta Edu, as a renowned personality, can easily be reached out to on the following social media handles:
Instagram: @dr_betta
Twitter: @edu_betta
Facebook: Dr Betta Edu
Summary Profile of Betta Edu
| Full Name | Betta Chimaobim Edu |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1986 |
| Age | 38 |
| Place of Birth | Lagos |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Tribe | Igbo |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Father | Emmanuel Eke |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | 2 |
| Siblings | 4 |
| School | Charles Walker International Nursery and Primary School, Calabar.Federal Government Girls College, Calabar. |
| University | University of Calabar, Cross River State.London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.Havard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthPh.D in Public Health from Texila American University. |
| Profession | Medical Doctor, Politician and Businesswoman, health policy and management |
| Net Worth | $500,00 |
| Husband | Mr. Edu |
Conclusion
Betta’s biography is proof of her resilience and open heart to impacting lives, be it in the medical path, leadership room, or humanitarian services corridor. What she enjoys most is empowering youth and women with her endowments. Despite her political challenges, she remains one of the finest and youngest female Nigerian politicians and leaders, young ones who are committed to making a difference in people’s lives mirror as their role model.
