SERAP Urges Tinubu to Investigate Missing N57 Billion in Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, Other Public Funds


The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch a comprehensive investigation into allegations of over N57 billion in missing, diverted, or mismanaged funds within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.

The demand follows revelations from the 2021 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which flagged financial irregularities not only in the ministry but across various government bodies.

In a letter dated November 23, 2024, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP emphasized the urgency of holding those responsible accountable. 

The group described the issue as a breach of public trust and a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption frameworks.

Specific Allegations in the Audit Report

1. N54.63 Billion Missing in N-Power Stipends

Funds earmarked for paying N-Power Batch C1 volunteers from August to December 2021 were not transferred directly to beneficiaries. The Auditor-General suspects these funds may have been diverted.

2. N2.6 Billion Diverted from School Feeding Program

Money allocated for a school feeding initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic was reportedly paid to five contractors, but no evidence of program execution was found.

3. Unapproved Expenses and Unjustified Payments

•N78.37 million spent on an unapproved survey related to COVID-19 response.

•N39.5 million labeled as "personal donations" reimbursed directly to the minister.

•N400 million allocated for independent monitors’ stipends remains unaccounted for.

•N287.6 million paid to contractors without documentation.

These issues are in addition to a separate case involving N729 billion linked to the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, which is currently under judicial review.

Recommendations and Calls to Action

SERAP urged the Tinubu administration to:

•Investigate and prosecute individuals implicated in the Auditor-General’s report.

•Recover and return misappropriated funds to the national treasury.

•Channel recovered resources toward reducing the 2025 budget deficit.

•Impose a moratorium on additional borrowing amid the country’s growing debt crisis.

Broader Context

The organization also raised concerns about Nigeria’s escalating national debt, which increased from N97.34 trillion in December 2023 to N121.67 trillion by March 2024. 

With the government recently approving a $2.2 billion loan for the 2024 budget, SERAP called for stricter fiscal discipline.

Citing the Nigerian Constitution and the UN Convention against Corruption, SERAP stressed the government’s duty to prevent and penalize corruption. 

It demanded proportionate sanctions to deter future violations. SERAP gave the government seven days to take concrete action, warning that failure to act could lead to legal proceedings.

“This is about justice for the Nigerian people,” the letter stated. “Prosecuting these allegations and recovering stolen funds would demonstrate the government’s genuine commitment to combating corruption,” the group added.

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