Benue Governor upholds suspension of lottery board chief
When Uper was appointed in December 2024, he was described as “well-versed in sports marketing and lottery management, with a strong background in business development and strategic planning”.
Nigeria.- Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has endorsed a one-month suspension of Michael Uper, the executive secretary of the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board (BSMLB). The suspension, effective from August 20, 2025, stems from a Benue State House of Assembly resolution accusing Uper of misappropriating funds.
The resolution also targeted Maxwell Ogiri, the Executive Chairperson of Otukpo Local Government Area, and Grace Adagba, Chairperson of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), both slapped with similar one-month suspensions for reasons yet to be disclosed.
Michael Uper was appointed by Governor Alia on December 19, 2024. He was described in official announcements as “well-versed in sports marketing and lottery management, with a strong background in business development and strategic planning.” His mission was to steer the BSMLB toward boosting state revenue through lotteries and sports initiatives.
Early in his tenure, he rallied BSMLB staff, urging them to be “mentally and physically prepared to work towards increasing the revenue base of the Board”. But less than a year later, these ambitions have been overshadowed by allegations that threaten his leadership.
The drama kicked off earlier this month when the state assembly unanimously pushed for a six-month suspension of Uper and the other officials. Governor Alia, however, dialled it back to one month as confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula.
In the official statement, Kula conveyed Alia’s stance. “In line with the resolutions passed by the House, His Excellency affirms the suspension of Mr. Michael Uper for a period of one month, effective from today.”
Kula added that the governor remains committed to “the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.” While Uper has been directed to step aside, the BSMLB is required to ensure “seamless continuity of service delivery” during his absence. Barring extensions or further probes, his suspension is set to lift on September 20, 2025.
The core issue driving Uper’s suspension is the assembly’s accusation of fund misappropriation. However, the amounts involved or the exact nature of the alleged financial irregularities remain vague, with neither the assembly’s resolution nor official statements offering clarity.
The implications of Uper’s suspension loom large for the BSMLB. The board, tasked with promoting sports and generating lottery revenue, has been pushing for expansion, including plans for zonal offices to broaden its reach. Uper’s absence, even for a month, could disrupt these efforts, especially if investigations uncover more serious issues. With Nigeria facing economic headwinds, any dip in state revenue could hit hard.
