Federal Government Suspends N-Power Programme Amid Irregularities

The Nigerian Federal Government has taken the decision to indefinitely suspend the N-Power program, a flagship initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and fostering social development.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, made the announcement during an interview on TVC News, citing a series of irregularities within the program as the primary reason for the suspension.

Minister Edu revealed that a comprehensive investigation into the utilization of funds allocated to the N-Power program would be initiated. The move comes as a response to reports of beneficiaries who were not fulfilling their assigned roles yet continued to receive monthly stipends.

One of the key concerns highlighted by the minister is the existence of beneficiaries who were supposed to have exited the program as far back as 2022 but remain on the payroll. This situation has raised questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the N-Power program in ensuring that resources are directed towards individuals actively engaged in their designated roles.

Edu stated, “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are, so we will basically suspend the program for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilization of funds in the N-Power program.”

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The minister emphasized that the government is committed to restructuring and expanding the N-Power program to enhance its impact on addressing youth unemployment and contributing to social development. She expressed her concern that approximately 80 percent of the program’s beneficiaries were not actively engaged in their assigned roles, yet they continued to claim salaries.

The N-Power program was launched by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as a vital initiative to combat youth unemployment and promote social development in Nigeria. However, the suspension indicates the government’s determination to address any issues compromising the program’s effectiveness and transparency, ensuring that resources are directed towards its intended beneficiaries.