President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken significant steps towards ensuring the effectiveness and integrity of Nigeria’s Social Investment Programs. In a recent announcement, a Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment Programmes has been established, signaling a major initiative to revamp these crucial initiatives.
Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed in a statement on Saturday that Tinubu has entrusted the leadership of the Special Panel to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. The Panel’s mandate is comprehensive, including a thorough review and audit of existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of the Social Investment Programmes. It is also charged with implementing a total re-engineering of the financial architecture and operational procedures guiding the programs moving forward.
The Panel comprises esteemed members, with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance serving as the Chairman. Additionally, key ministers responsible for Health, Social Welfare, Budget and Economic Planning, Information and National Orientation, as well as Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy are also part of this critical body. Furthermore, the Minister of State for Youth is included in the Panel, reflecting a comprehensive and diverse approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with these vital programs.
This development comes in the wake of the suspension of the N-Power Programme, the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, and two other initiatives administered by the National Social Investment Programme, NSIPA. The suspension has been undertaken to pave the way for a thorough inquiry into the agency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
This move follows earlier actions by President Tinubu, including the suspension of Halima Shehu, the national Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, over allegations of financial misappropriation. Additionally, the President suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in the wake of corruption allegations amounting to N585 million.
The establishment of the Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment Programmes depicts a decisive and proactive approach to addressing critical issues facing these programs. It underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that these initiatives fulfill their intended objectives, benefitting the citizens of Nigeria as a whole. As the Panel commences its work, all eyes are on the outcomes, with expectations high for positive and impactful reforms that will bolster the integrity and efficacy of Nigeria’s Social Investment Programs.
