By Our Reporter
In a startling move, President Bola Tinubu has decided to suspend all operations conducted by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) in the wake of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption within the agency.
According to Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information in the office to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the suspension affects all four programs administered by NSIPA, namely the N-Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and Home Grown School Feeding Programme. The suspension is set for an initial period of six weeks.
President Tinubu expressed deep concerns about operational irregularities and improprieties related to payments to the beneficiaries of these programs. To address these issues, he has established a ministerial panel tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of NSIPA’s operations and recommending necessary reforms.
During this suspension period, all NSIPA-related activities, including distributions, events, payments, collaborations, and registrations, will be halted. President Tinubu emphasizes his commitment to a swift and impartial process that ensures social intervention programs function as intended, benefiting the most vulnerable Nigerians.
In a related development, Tinubu has suspended Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator of NSIPA, based on allegations of financial misappropriation and money laundering involving N37.1 billion within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. Following her suspension, Shehu was arrested and interrogated by the EFCC, leading to the recovery of about N39.8 billion out of N44.8 billion allegedly embezzled during her tenure.