Over A Million Nigerians Jobless As FG Suspends N-Power Programme Amid Investigation

The Nigerian Federal Government’s sudden and indefinite suspension of the N-Power programme has left over one million citizens unemployed, stirring up significant concerns regarding the nation’s already struggling employment scenario.

Origins of the N-Power Programme

The N-Power initiative was launched during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari as an effort to combat youth unemployment. With a monthly stipend of N30,000, the programme has since onboarded about 1.5 million unemployed Nigerian youths, mainly graduates. The initiative was tailored to provide structured employment, capacity building, and a strategic exit route to various career paths.

Suspicion of Irregularities

In a live TVC News interview, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, announced the programme’s indefinite suspension, citing significant irregularities.

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

She highlighted instances where beneficiaries, who should have exited the programme in 2022, were still on payroll and even claimed to be actively teaching in schools. Yet, upon verification, approximately 80% of these individuals were found not to be working at all.

Previous Investigations and Controversies

The N-Power scheme is no stranger to controversies. In December 2022, a statement from the humanitarian ministry confirmed that investigations were underway related to allegations of fraud within the programme.

The ministry had said, “When it came to our notice that there might have been sharp practices by some personnel of the payment service provider involved in the payment processes of the beneficiaries, the matter was immediately referred to the ICPC for a thorough investigation.”

This response showcased the ministry’s commitment to reinforcing its systems, ensuring transparency, and working in close collaboration with ICPC for the successful determination of the investigation.

Public Impact and Repercussions

With many N-Power beneficiaries holding teaching positions in primary schools across the country, the suspension raises concerns about the education sector’s stability and the fate of these unemployed individuals.

The programme’s abrupt suspension adds another layer of complexity to Nigeria’s economic and employment challenges, as the nation grapples with ensuring the transparency and efficiency of its social programmes.