The government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially announced the temporary suspension of the N-Power social intervention program initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
This decision was communicated by the Federal Government through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, during an interview on TVC News.
Originally launched by President Buhari to address youth unemployment and promote social development, the N-Power Program has been put on hold due to certain identified irregularities within the scheme. Minister Edu also revealed that an investigation into the program’s financial management since its inception has been initiated.
Explaining the rationale behind the suspension, Edu mentioned that some beneficiaries are not fulfilling their assignments but still expecting to receive monthly stipends. Additionally, she highlighted cases where individuals who were supposed to have exited the program in 2022 were still receiving payments, despite not being actively engaged.
“We are taking a step back to thoroughly examine the N-Power program, understand its challenges, and investigate how funds have been utilized,” stated the Minister. “The program will remain suspended until we complete a comprehensive review, including determining the current number of participants, outstanding payments, and overall restructuring. Our aim is to expand and improve the program.”
Edu also pointed out a concerning statistic, saying, “Approximately 80 percent of beneficiaries are not fulfilling their work obligations, yet they continue to claim salaries.”
The government’s decision to suspend the N-Power program underscores its commitment to addressing inefficiencies and ensuring the effective use of resources in social intervention initiatives.
