Paul Atanga Nji: A Cameroonian Minister with an Astonishing and Controversial Past

The Observer007Mar 7, 2025Read original

cameroonmagazine.com | Cameroon Magazine - Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration in Cameroon, raises questions due to his atypical career, marked by prison stays and dubious activities. Revelations by the exiled military officer Patrice Nouma raise questions about the criteria for appointments within the Cameroonian government.

In a country where government appointments often raise questions, the appointment of

to the strategic position of Minister of Territorial Administration continues to fuel controversies. Although he currently holds one of the most sensitive positions in the Cameroonian state apparatus, his atypical and controversial career deserves attention, especially in light of the revelations made by the exiled military officer,

.

Originally from

in the

region, the man whose official education level is said to be limited to the

has a rather singular CV. According to some information, before reaching the highest echelons of the state, Atanga Nji had three stays at the

in Douala. A judicial past that contrasts sharply with the responsibilities he holds today.

After these legal troubles, he reportedly turned to various activities of dubious legality before gradually moving towards the circles of power. His career is all the more intriguing because, without recognized academic training, he has nevertheless held high-responsibility positions such as Permanent Secretary of the National Security Council, then Minister with a mission at the presidency, before being propelled to the head of a sovereign ministry.

Paul Atanga Nji's career is all the more surprising as it has been the subject of troubling revelations. The exiled military officer in the United States, Patrice Nouma, pointed out that the logic guiding

's choices is not always clear. Indeed, few Cameroonians knew the complex profile of this man, a former robber and conman trained in Nigeria.

Atanga Nji, holder of the CEPE, was imprisoned three times at New Bell. Upon his last release, he turned to business, first in counterfeit money production, before finding himself in the microfinance sector. Subsequently, he cultivated significant networks among the elite, which led him to work at the presidency of the Republic. His connections allowed him to claim a fake CV, presenting himself as holding a Master's degree in Criminology from a Nigerian university.

Today, he holds the crucial position of Minister of Territorial Administration, a role believed to be reserved for seasoned statesmen.

Paul Atanga Nji's career raises many questions about the criteria for appointments within the Cameroonian government and the implications of his past in the exercise of his current functions.