Reps Issue 72-Hour Ultimatum to Tinubu: Unfreeze NSIPA Accounts

The House of Representatives has given President Bola Tinubu a 72-hour deadline to unfreeze the accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), citing the need to resume critical social welfare programs.

The House of Representatives has given President Bola Tinubu an ultimatum to direct the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to unfreeze all accounts belonging to the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours. This resolution was adopted during Tuesday's plenary session, and it's a significant move to get NSIPA's programs back on track.

The backstory is that President Tinubu suspended all NSIPA programs in January due to allegations of financial misconduct. As a result, Halima Shehu, the CEO of NSIPA, and Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, were also suspended. The House of Representatives is now pushing for the accounts to be unfrozen to enable the smooth recommencement of NSIPA's programs, including the payment of outstanding stipends to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries.

The NSIPA plays a critical role in poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and economic inclusivity in Nigeria. Its programs, such as Grant for Vulnerable Groups, N-Power, and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, are vital for supporting vulnerable populations. By urging President Tinubu to unfreeze NSIPA's accounts, the House of Representatives is pushing for the agency's programs to be reinstated and for the support to continue flowing to those who need it most.