In the aftermath of the suspension of Halima Shehu from her role as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), the Federal Government has taken a decisive step by suspending all programs under the NSIPA umbrella.
This move aligns with the ongoing investigation into Shehu, who faces allegations of fraud and mismanagement of public funds.
According to a statement by the Director of Information, Segun Imohiosen, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended all four programs administered by NSIPA, including the N-Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and Home Grown School Feeding Programme. The suspension is initially set for six weeks.
Imohiosen highlighted the President’s concerns about operational lapses and improprieties related to payments to program beneficiaries. To address these issues, a ministerial panel has been established to conduct a thorough review of the agency’s operations and recommend necessary reforms.
“During the period of this suspension, all NSIPA-related activities, including but not limited to distributions, events, payments, collaborations, and registrations, are now frozen,” Imohiosen stated. He further emphasized that the President is committed to a swift and unbiased process, ensuring that social intervention programs will function as intended for the benefit of the most vulnerable Nigerians.
The statement concluded by assuring stakeholders and the Nigerian public that the administration remains dedicated to implementing reforms that will enhance the effectiveness of social intervention programs in the future.