In response to irregularities, the Nigerian Federal Government has suspended the N-Power program, resulting in over one million beneficiaries losing their jobs.
The N-Power initiative, established during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, aimed to combat youth unemployment by providing a monthly stipend of N30,000 to beneficiaries.
The N-Power program is a vital component of the National Social Investment Programme, devised to onboard and support 1.5 million unemployed Nigerian youths, primarily graduates, by offering capacity building, targeted tenured employment, and structured career path opportunities.
As of February this year, the program had enrolled 200,000 youths in Batch A, 300,000 in Batch B, 510,000 in Batch C1, and 490,000 in Batch C2. While the exact number of beneficiaries exiting the scheme remains unconfirmed, nearly all enrollees from Batches C1 and C2 were reportedly still part of the program, amounting to approximately one million individuals.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, announced the indefinite suspension of the program due to irregularities, including beneficiaries not fulfilling their assignments yet receiving stipends.
The government initiated an investigation to examine the funds allocated to the scheme since its inception. The ministry aims to thoroughly investigate the program, assess the current number of participants, outstanding payments, and restructure and expand N-Power.
It was observed that some beneficiaries who were expected to exit the program in 2022 were still receiving stipends, despite not actively working in their designated roles.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), is investigating potential fraudulent activities within the payment process, taking appropriate measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and the successful resolution of these concerns.
The public has been urged to report any irregularities noticed in the implementation of the National Social Investment Program through designated email channels and phone numbers, emphasizing the government’s commitment to beneficiaries and the N-Power program’s objectives.
