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Tag: NSIPA

  • FG says N1 trillion needed annually to sustain school feeding programme

    FG says N1 trillion needed annually to sustain school feeding programme

    The federal government has revealed that an estimated N1 trillion is required annually to effectively implement the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

    This disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Sununu, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on the relaunch and expansion of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP).

    According to a statement by Attari Hope, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Dr. Sununu emphasized that between N900 billion and N1 trillion would be needed each year to provide nutritious meals to pupils in primary grades 1 to 3, with a target of three meals per week.

    He stressed the importance of securing diverse funding sources beyond federal allocations, underscoring the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the programme’s sustainability and impact.

    Also speaking at the event, the national coordinator and CEO of NSIPA, Badamasi Lawal, outlined possible funding channels, including presidential backing, contributions from international donors, support from key stakeholders, and a proposed allocation of 5 per cent from recovered repatriated funds.

    Dr. Badamasi stated, “As stakeholders, your technical expertise, strategic insights, and financial support are invaluable. Through this engagement, we aim to identify collaborative pathways that will strengthen and sustain the programme’s goals in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly in eradicating hunger, ensuring quality education, and alleviating poverty.”

    Read Also: FG announces schedule of activities for YEIDEP

    He explained that the RH-NHGSFP embodies the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, whose agenda seeks to address critical national challenges through inclusive, people-centred solutions.

    “Through this programme, we will tackle malnutrition, improve school attendance, empower smallholder farmers, and stimulate local economies—one nutritious meal at a time”.

    He also said the enhanced model of the programme promises improved efficiency, transparency, inclusiveness, and measurable impact.

    “We hope that it will not only serve as a national success story but also as a model for other countries seeking sustainable school feeding systems.”

  • Fed Govt probes NSIPA warehouse fire

    Fed Govt probes NSIPA warehouse fire

    Minister of State, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, has directed that a five-man Committee be set up to probe the fire that gutted the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) warehouse in the Idu area of Abuja.

    The Minister, during the inspection of the warehouse, where tools worth billions of Naira meant for the training of N-Power beneficiaries under the NSIPA were damaged, assured that measures would be put in place to prevent future occurrences.

    Sununu, in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Rhoda Ishaku, stated that the Committee had two weeks to submit its report.

    Read Also: Reps to FG: unfreeze NSIPA accounts within 72 hours

    He said: “The Committee will estimate the cost of the items gutted by the fire. With what has happened, we will put measures in place to ensure that all other items in our warehouses are well protected. We will also commence as soon as possible the training of beneficiaries so that what has been procured so far can be put to use.”

    The Minister commended the Federal Fire Service (FCT) Fire Service and Julius Berger for their assistance to ensure that the fire was brought down.

    He commended the Nigeria Police, Life Camp for providing security and ensuring that what was left in the warehouse was not vandalised.

  • JUST IN: Fire guts NSIPA warehouse in Abuja

    JUST IN: Fire guts NSIPA warehouse in Abuja

    A fire at the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) warehouse in the Idu area of Abuja has destroyed tools worth billions of Naira. 

    The tools were designated for training N-Power beneficiaries under the NSIPA.

    In response to the incident, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, has directed the formation of a 5-man committee to investigate the fire. 

    During an inspection of the warehouse, the minister assured that measures would be implemented to prevent future occurrences.

    Dr. Sununu, in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Rhoda Ishaku, stated that the committee has two weeks to submit its report.

    “The Committee will estimate the cost of the items gutted by the fire. With what has happened, we will put measures in place to ensure that all other items in our warehouses are well protected. We will also commence as soon as possible the training of beneficiaries so that what has been procured so far can be put to use.”

    The minister commended the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, and Julius Berger for their assistance to ensure that the fire was brought down.

    He also commended the Nigeria Police, Life Camp for providing security and ensuring that what was left in the warehouse was not vandalized.

  • Reps to FG: unfreeze NSIPA accounts within 72 hours

    Reps to FG: unfreeze NSIPA accounts within 72 hours

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the federal government to unfreeze all accounts of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours to facilitate the smooth resumption of its programmes. 

    The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 21 other lawmakers.

    The House emphasised that unfreezing the accounts would enable the release of funds needed to pay outstanding stipends to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries across the country without further delay. 

    The lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to direct relevant ministries to eliminate all administrative bottlenecks hindering the effective operation of NSIPA programmes. 

    The resolution is to be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. 

    Kalu recalled that the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was established under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (Establishment) Act, 2023, with the mandate of empowering unemployed persons, vulnerable widows, orphans, children, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable senior citizens, etc.

    According to him, the agency oversees critical social intervention programs such as Grant for Vulnerable Groups, N-Power, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), etc.

    He stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Government gives emphasis to the mandate of the NSIPA to cushion the effect of economic shocks on the poor and the vulnerable.

    Read Also: Senate confirms nomination of Lawal as national coordinator/CEO of NSIPA

    He said despite the programmes of NSIPA being vital for poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and economic inclusivity in Nigeria, the agency’s functionality has been hindered due to administrative bottlenecks, insufficient funding, and frozen accounts.

    He argued that the effort of the government and the laudable programmes of NSIPA were truncated by alleged financial mismanagement by handlers of the programmes leading to the suspension of programmes and freezing of the agency’s account and subsequent investigation by anti-corruption and security agencies.

    He maintained that the smooth operations of the programmes and the fulfillment of the mandate of NSIPA are hindered due to the suspension (freezing) of the accounts of the agency and other administrative bottlenecks, which have remained in force even more than 3 months after the President reconstituted the new management of NSIPA.

    He expressed concern that the NSIPA Frozen account contradicts the President’s mandate on poverty alleviation by hindering and halting social welfare programs, including conditional cash transfers, small business grants, and school feeding initiatives, undermining economic empowerment initiatives; delaying in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and causing erosion of public confidence and administrative paralysis in fighting poverty, among other things.

    He said as a result of the suspension of accounts of the NSIPA, the N-Power programme has been so negatively affected that 395,731 beneficiaries are owed outstanding stipends to the tune of N81, 315, 440, 000 (Eighty-One Billion, Three Hundred and Fifteen Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira)—a fund already captured under the 2023 and 2024 amended Appropriation Acts, which will lapse by the year ending 31st December 2024.

    He argued that restoring NSIPA’s account aligns with the President’s vision, ensuring that poverty alleviation efforts remain effective, efficient, and impactful and that it is essential to act swiftly to resolve this issue to maintain momentum toward the administration’s poverty eradication goals. 

  • Senate confirms nomination of Lawal as national coordinator/CEO of NSIPA

    Senate confirms nomination of Lawal as national coordinator/CEO of NSIPA

    The Senate on Thursday, October 10, approved the nomination Dr. Badamasi Lawal for appointment as the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

    The confirmation of Lawal for appointment as CEO of NSIPA followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Investments that screened the nominee.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, in his report said the nominee is qualified for appointment having met all relevant legal requirements for the position.

    Senators approved that Dr. Lawal be confirmed for appointment when Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the request to voice vote.

    President Tinubu had in a statement by his former spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on August 8, 2024 nominated Lawal for the position subject to Senate’s confirmation.

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    The in coming CEO of NSIPA was a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in Katsina.

    Lawal would replace Halima Shehu, the former CEO of NSIPA, who was suspended by the president over alleged financial improprieties.

    After Shehu was suspended, Tinubu directed Akindele Egbuwalo, the national N-Power programme manager, to replace her in acting capacity, pending the conclusion of investigations.

  • Over N24billion paid in August, September to 991,261 households, says NSIPA

    Over N24billion paid in August, September to 991,261 households, says NSIPA

    The National Cash Transfer Office under the National Social Investment Agency (NSIPA) said it has released N24,781,525,000 for the payment of 991,261 household beneficiaries across the 36 States and the FCT Abuja.

    The Agency explained that the payment was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at alleviating poverty and improving the livelihood of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

    The Agency in a statement on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Badamasi Lawal, said the beneficiaries were paid N25,000 each between August and September this year.

    Read Also: FG treads carefully on food importation to protect local production efforts, farmers – Edun

    The statement reads: “The National Cash Transfer Office under the National Social Investment Agency (NSIPA) has released the sum of N24, 781,525,000 for the payment of 991,261 household beneficiaries across the 36 States and the FCT Abuja.
    “In August 2024, a total number of 153,038 household beneficiaries received the sum of N3, 825,950,000.
    “Similarly, in September 2024 the sum of N20, 955,575,000 was paid to 838,223 household beneficiaries across the 36 States and the FCT
    “Each of the beneficiaries received N25,000 through their Financial Service Providers (FSP). The Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer (RH-CCT) is aimed to cushion the economic shocks of the beneficiaries who are mostly the poor and vulnerable Nigerian households.
    “The economic benefits include but are not limited to immediate poverty reduction, improved household finances and the savings ability of the beneficiaries.
    “The health benefits provide opportunities for the beneficiaries to improve their health and nutritional services. The emotional and social benefits include livelihood, interpersonal relationships and family happiness”.

  • Tinubu suspends N-Power, CCT,other NSIPA programmes over probe

    Tinubu suspends N-Power, CCT,other NSIPA programmes over probe

    All programmes administered by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) have been put on hold following allegations of sleaze,according to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

    This development yesterday came  11 days after the  National Coordinator and CEO of NSIPA,Hajiya  Halima Shehu, was suspended by President Bola Tinubu over alleged financial misconduct.

    The Director of Information in the OSGF, Mr.Segun Imohiosen said yesterday that the suspension of the programmes stemmed from  the ongoing investigation of alleged malfeasance in the management of the agency and its programmes.

     All  the four programmes under agency, including N-Power, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), Government Enterprise and Empowerment, as well as the Home Grown School Feeding, have all been suspended for an initial six weeks period.

    Read Also: Betta Edu not involved infinancial misconduct – NSIPA

    “All four (4) programmes administered by NSIPA, viz; N- Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme (the “Programs”) have been suspended for a period of six (6) weeks in the first instance.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also raised significant concerns regarding operational lapses and improprieties surrounding payments to the Programs’ beneficiaries.

    “He has therefore constituted a ministerial panel to conduct a thorough review of the Agency’s operations with a view to recommending necessary reforms of the NSIPA.

    “During the period of this suspension, all NSIPA-related activities, including but not limited to all distributions, events, payments, collaborations and registrations are now frozen.

     “The President wishes to assure the stakeholders and all Nigerians that his administration remains committed to a swift and unbiased process that will ensure that, going forward, social intervention programmes will work exactly as intended, to the benefit of the most vulnerable Nigerians”, the statement said.

  • NSIPA fraud: Niger Delta youths caution against blackmailing Edu

    NSIPA fraud: Niger Delta youths caution against blackmailing Edu

    The Niger Delta Progressive Youths League has cautioned against further blackmailing of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

    It said the campaign of calumny, media brigandism, and unnecessary blackmail against Edu was from a particular section of the country that feels the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was their exclusive preserve.

    The group stated that linking Edu to the NSIPA financial misappropriation was a diversionary antic by a set of individuals who were irked by her transparency and audacity in revealing the rot in the agency.

    A statememt by its president, Comrade Ebiegberi Jonathan, said Edu’s transparent act has been helpful in the investigation by anti-graft agency.

    Comrade Ebiegberi said those blackmailing Edu planned to blackmail her out of office to serve their ethnocentric agenda.

    Read Also: JUST IN: N585m fraud allegation against me unfounded, says Betta Edu

    He said: “For the records, the people of Niger Delta are strongly behind Dr. Betta Edu and are eternally proud of her performance as Minister.

    “As a people, we frown at any attempt to unnecessarily blackmail, distract and distort the good work the honourable minister is doing in pursuing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. We have no doubt in the Minister’s ability to deliver as her track record from her days as DG Primary Healthcare and later, Commissioner for Health in Cross River State.

    “We call on the general public to continue to support the effort of the Minister in the fight against poverty. We also commend the effort of the EFCC in handling the NSIPA Fraud Scandal, while calling on them not to be distracted by the diversionary antics of some people who are hell-bent on sabotaging the heroic efforts of the Minister, who incidentally, is one of the best performing Ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet.”

  • Why Tinubu suspended NSIPA boss Halima Sheu – Official

    Why Tinubu suspended NSIPA boss Halima Sheu – Official

    An official in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has explained why the national coordinator of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA), Ms. Halima Shehu was suspended.

    According to the official, she was suspended because of financial misappropriation worth billions of naira.

    Before Halima’s appointment, she worked as the national coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme and also served with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development between 2017 and 2022.

    Her suspension is coming barely three months after her appointment was confirmed by the Senate.

    She resumed after the confirmation on the 7th of November, 2023.

    She was also billed to perform an event at the local government secretariat in New Karu, Nasarawa state on Tuesday morning before the news of her suspension came.

    She was meant to distribute cash grants and starter packs to vulnerable groups and also reach out to some victims of kidney harvesting.

    Reporters who went to the event were sent back and forth due to the uncertainty of the news of her suspension.

    They had arrived at the venue of the event in New Karu but were asked to return to the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. 

    After their return, they were asked to go back to New Karu as the coordinator of the event was sure Shehu was going to grace the occasion despite news of her suspension.

    A few minutes after their arrival the second time at the event venue in New Karu, they were asked to return to Abuja where Shehu was meant to brief.

    Upon arrival, armed personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on ground and prevented journalists from entering.

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    Giving reasons for her suspension, the official at the ministry who didn’t want his name mentioned, said: “Her suspension is true and it was a presidential directive that had to be effected without delay.

    “She was suspended due to financial misappropriation worth billions of Naira. She was once the National Programme Coordinator of the National Conditional Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) under the immediate past administration but there have been reports of financial misappropriation and that is why she was suspended. Her suspension will give room for proper inevestigation.

    On the amount she is being probed for, he said: “I cannot state the specific amount but I know it runs in billions because she headed a cluster of the NSIP programme and a lot of controversies have surrounded the execution of that programme.

    “She is not the only that is being investigation. From all indication, in the coming days, everybody linked to the misappropriation of funds in the execution of the programme would be invited by the EFCC.”

  • 1.5m vulnerable households got N25,000 stipends, says NSIPA boss

    1.5m vulnerable households got N25,000 stipends, says NSIPA boss

    • ‘No compromise in $800m conditional cash transfer’ 

    The National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Hajiya Halima Shehu, has said about 1.5 million households have received N25,000 monthly stipends under the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme since its launch in Kogi State.

    Shehu said the programme aimed to reach 15 million households with N25,000 each for three months. 

    The NSIPA national coordinator spoke at the weekend while highlighting the progress the agency had made since its launch. 

    She said: “Under my watch, we have successfully kick-started the conditional Cash Transfer Programme funded by World Bank with N25,000 monthly stipend for three months and we are targeting 15 million households. So far, over 1,500,000 beneficiaries have received this stipend.

    “We have flagged off the grants for vulnerable groups in Kogi State with N20,000 one-off grant and we target the higher percentage of persons living with disabilities. Both grants are to smoothen consumption and cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.”

    Shehu also said the agency had re-launched and expanded the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) which has the components of Traders Moni, Farmers Moni and Market Moni.

    The NSIPA national coordinator said the disbursement of the loans to beneficiaries would start next month.

    According to her, the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, which has been moved to the Federal Ministry of Education, would resume as soon as schools resume.

    Also, Hajiya Shehu has reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation of the $800 million World Bank Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.

    Shehu spoke yesterday in Abuja while giving an update on the role of the NSIPA in poverty alleviation under President Bola Tibubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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    The NSIPA boss said the programme was designed for the poorest Nigerians across the country.

    She said it was fully funded by the World Bank, adding that the project was working with $800 million.

    Shehu said beneficiaries were being captured through a National Social Register sourced from the social registers of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “So, a collection of 36 states and the FCT social register makes up the National Social Register…”

    “Most people in the National Social Register are either rural poor, or urban poor. So, the office that is charged with the delivery of this cash, which is the National Cash Transfer Office, mines the beneficiaries out of the social register.

    “Most of the people in the National Social Register are not known to any political person. They are Nigerians that deserve to benefit from the grant. That is why no list is being collected by anybody,” she said.