The House of Representatives has launched a decisive investigation into the whereabouts of more than N30 billion recovered during a federal probe of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). Lawmakers are demanding the immediate release of the funds to restart crucial poverty-alleviation initiatives stalled across Nigeria.
Lawmakers Sound Alarm Over Stalled Poverty Programmes
During a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, legislators expressed grave concern that the continued withholding of the massive sum is crippling social safety nets designed to aid the nation's most vulnerable citizens. The motion prompting the action was sponsored by Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency in Niger State.
Abdullahi highlighted the troubling fate of funds recovered from Deposit Money Banks and Payment Service Providers. These funds include allocations for key programmes like TraderMoni, MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, and Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
The lawmaker reminded the House that President Bola Tinubu initially suspended NSIPA's operations on January 8, 2024, to allow for a comprehensive investigation into alleged financial misconduct. While the President lifted the suspension on January 21, 2025, the agency remains hamstrung because the recovered billions have not been returned to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Delay Threatens Renewed Hope Agenda, Warns House
The House warned that the failure to release the funds poses a direct threat to the pillars of the government's Renewed Hope Agenda. The delay is having severe consequences:
- Poverty-reduction programmes have been drastically slowed down.
- Small-scale enterprises that depend on these interventions are being crippled.
- Hardship in both rural and urban areas is worsening.
- Public confidence in government-led social protection efforts is eroding.
"Millions of vulnerable Nigerians who depend on these interventions are being exposed to prolonged socio-economic distress," Abdullahi stated. He stressed that the uncertainty surrounding the custodial status of the N30 billion creates "serious fiscal and institutional risks" for the nation.
Ad-Hoc Committee Mandated for Swift Investigation
In response, the House resolved to constitute a powerful ad-hoc committee with a clear four-week mandate. The committee's tasks are critical:
- Investigate the total amount of funds recovered from NSIPA.
- Determine the current location of these funds and identify the entities holding them.
- Establish the precise reasons for the delay in their release to the TSA.
- Engage all relevant agencies to secure a clear implementation and disbursement plan from NSIPA.
The committee is expected to report back within four weeks so the House can take further legislative action. The goal is to fast-track the restart of all social intervention schemes and deliver urgent relief to millions of waiting Nigerians.
Constitution Amendment Debate Commences
In a separate but significant development, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, announced that lawmakers would begin debating a suite of constitution amendment bills. Deliberations are scheduled for today and tomorrow, with voting set for December 10 and 11.
This debate marks a critical phase in the legislature's effort to update the nation's governance framework. A total of 87 bills are under consideration, proposing far-reaching reforms in areas including:
- The electoral system and the creation of additional seats for women in parliament.
- The establishment of state police.
- The creation of new states and local government areas.
- Granting full financial and administrative autonomy to local councils.
- Reforms to the judiciary, fiscal federalism, and the national security architecture.
