Reps To Probe Missing N30bn Recovered From NSIPA Investigation

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the whereabouts of more than N30 billion recovered during the 2024–2025 probe of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

This follows concern that the funds have not been remitted into the agency’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The decision was reached on Tuesday after a motion of urgent public importance was moved by Saidu Abdullahi, who warned that millions of Nigerians may be denied access to vital social intervention schemes due to the unexplained withholding of the recovered funds.

Abdullahi noted that NSIPA is responsible for implementing key Federal Government social protection initiatives, including the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, and the Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu suspended NSIPA operations on 8 January 2024 to enable security and anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged financial infractions within the intervention schemes. The probe, according to him, led to the tracing and recovery of substantial sums intended for programmes such as TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni.

However, Abdullahi expressed concern that despite the recovery, credible information suggests that the funds — estimated at over ₦30 billion — have not been transmitted to NSIPA’s TSA, thereby stalling the rollout of intervention programmes across the country.

“This prolonged non-release undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda, slows down poverty-reduction efforts, and exposes millions of poor households to avoidable hardship,” he said.

He added that although the President lifted the suspension on 21 January 2025, NSIPA has been unable to resume its programmes due to the absence of the recovered funds.

Abdullahi warned that the uncertainty surrounding the location, custodianship and administrative management of the money poses fiscal risks and could create bottlenecks for national intervention efforts.

House Resolution

Following unanimous adoption of the motion, the House resolved to:

Constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate all funds recovered in the 2024–2025 NSIPA probe.

Ascertain the current status and custodians of the monies.

Identify reasons for the delayed remittance to the agency.

Engage relevant government institutions for documentation and clarification.

Obtain from NSIPA a clear disbursement and implementation plan upon release of the funds.

Mandate the committee to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu ruled the motion as carried, emphasising the House’s responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and efficient utilisation of public resources earmarked for poverty-alleviation programmes.