- Audit Reveals Alleged Diversion of Funds Meant for Vulnerable Nigerians
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to launch an investigation into over ₦57 billion of public funds allegedly misappropriated in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
In a letter dated November 23, 2024, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization called for the Attorney-General of the Federation and anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged misuse of funds, citing findings from the recently released 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Grave Allegations of Corruption
According to the report, the ministry failed to account for:
- ₦54.6 billion meant for paying monthly stipends to N-Power Batch C1 volunteers and trainees between August and December 2021. The funds, which were not directly disbursed to beneficiaries, were flagged as potentially diverted.
- ₦2.6 billion allocated for the home-grown school feeding program during COVID-19, which was reportedly not executed despite being paid to contractors.
- ₦78.3 million used to conduct a survey on COVID-19 response initiatives without proper documentation or approval.
- ₦400 million intended for stipends for 4,450 independent monitors between October and December 2021, which was unaccounted for.
The Auditor-General’s report recommended recovering the funds and sanctioning the individuals involved.
SERAP’s Demand for Accountability
SERAP described these allegations as a severe violation of public trust and a betrayal of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations. It called for anyone implicated to face the full weight of the law and demanded that recovered funds be redirected to address Nigeria’s growing budget deficit.
The organization emphasized the need to enforce a 2024 Federal High Court ruling compelling the government to release details of how ₦729 billion in humanitarian funds was spent under former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk. The court also ordered a comprehensive disclosure of beneficiaries’ identities and bank details for transparency.
Broader Corruption Concerns
The Humanitarian Ministry’s financial irregularities are part of a larger pattern, with hundreds of billions of naira reportedly missing across other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
SERAP further highlighted recent actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has recovered ₦30 billion from funds laundered under former Minister Umar-Farouk and uncovered ₦500 million linked to her successor, Betta Edu.
SERAP’s Recommendations
In addition to calling for investigations, SERAP advised President Tinubu to:
- Implement a moratorium on government borrowing to reduce Nigeria’s debt burden.
- Redirect recovered funds to support critical budgetary needs.
Next Steps
SERAP has set a seven-day deadline for the government to act on its recommendations or face legal action.
This development underscores the need for greater accountability in the disbursement of public funds, especially those earmarked for poverty alleviation and humanitarian aid. As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, ensuring transparency in the use of public resources remains critical.
