The Nigerian government has disclosed additional reasons behind the suspension of the NPower program, shedding light on ghost beneficiaries and consultants withholding participants’ funds.
The program, initiated during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to tackle youth unemployment, has left over a million Nigerians unemployed following its indefinite suspension.
National Programme Manager of NPower, Akindele Egbuwalo, confirmed on Sunday that ghost workers had infiltrated the program and needed to be eliminated.
Also Read: Federal Government Suspends Npower Program Indefinitely Amid Irregularities
This revelation comes as a major blow to the scheme’s integrity and raises concerns about the misuse of public funds.
Also, Egbuwalo revealed that some consultants had been retaining funds meant for beneficiaries, even after their contracts expired in March 2023.
The government strongly condemned this practice and vowed to identify those responsible, retrieve the misappropriated funds, and ensure beneficiaries receive their entitlements.
Egbuwalo stated that the government’s commitment to restructuring and transforming the NPower program, extending its reach to include beneficiaries aged 18 to 40, up from the previous age limit of 35.
He urged Nigerians to support the temporary suspension and investigation, assuring that these measures are aimed at restoring trust in the program and ensuring its effectiveness in serving the nation’s youth.
As the government strives to rectify these issues and revamp the NPower program, Nigerians eagerly await the return of this critical initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and empowering the nation’s youth.