Reps Probe The Status Of ₦30Bn Recovered From NSIPA

By Alkassim Bala Tsakuwa, Abuja

The House of Representatives has resolved to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the over N30 billion recovered from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) during the 2024–2025 investigations.

The decision followed a resolution on a motion on matters of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi at the Plenary on Tuesday.

Presenting the motion, he stated that, credible sources have indicated that these recovered funds estimated at over ₦30 billion have not been remitted into NSIPA’s designated Treasury Single Account (TSA), thereby stalling programme implementation and leaving millions of intended beneficiaries without the social and economic support envisioned by the Federal Government.

He added, “The prolonged non-release of these funds undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda by slowing down poverty alleviation efforts, weakening small-scale enterprises, exacerbating hardship in rural and urban communities, delaying local economic stimulation, and eroding public trust in the government’s social protection commitments.

“Continued uncertainty over the exact location, custodial status, and administrative handling of the recovered funds poses fiscal risks, disrupts programme timelines, and may create institutional bottlenecks across related national social intervention initiatives.

“Despite the Presidential approval lifting the suspension on NSIPA operations on 21st January 2025, the Agency has been unable to resume full implementation of its programmes allegedly due to the non-availability of recovered funds expected to have been released thereby exposing millions of Nigerians to prolonged socioeconomic distress”.

Hon. Abdullahi noted that, the National Assembly has constitutional responsibility to ensure accountability, transparency, and prudent management of public resources, particularly funds designated for poverty reduction and social investment programmes.

The lawmaker recalled that, the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was the statutory institution responsible for implementing the Federal Government’s flagship social protection programmes, including the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), National Home Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSFP) and the Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG).

According to him, the various intervention initiatives were designed to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, improve nutrition and school enrolment, promote financial inclusion, expand livelihood opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs, and strengthen national socioeconomic stability.

After his presentation, the House adopted the motion and resolved to constitute the Ad-hoc Committee to conduct the investigation.

The Ad-hoc Committee is to also determine the current status and custodianship of the funds and identify any issues delaying their release to the appropriate Agencies with the aim of facilitating the prompt recommencement of the social investment programmes.

It mandated the Ad-hoc Committee to engage with the relevant agencies to obtain all necessary information and clarifications relating to the recovered funds and also obtain a clear implementation and disbursement plan from NSIPA showing how the recovered funds will be utilized once released.

It is to report back to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over the Plenary announced the Chairman and Deputy of the Ad-hoc committee and informed that, other members will be announced before its inauguration.