N-Power Beneficiaries Decry Delay in Monthly Stipends, Seek Government Intervention

Some participants in the Federal Government’s N-Power Programme have voiced their frustration over the persistent delay in receiving their N30,000 monthly stipends.

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, beneficiaries expressed concern about the prolonged delays, citing the impact on their livelihoods.

Mr. Francisco Noah, a teacher in the N-Teach segment of Batch C1, serving at a Nomadic School in Keffi, Nasarawa State, revealed that the delay had forced him to halt his educational activities, affecting his ability to commute to the Nomadic School due to transportation challenges.

Noah, dismayed by the situation, mentioned that he last received his stipend in November 2022.

“Our program is for two years, starting from January 2021 and ending in December. However, since its commencement, I have only been paid for 12 months, with the last payment received in November 2022,” he explained.

Mr. Usman Dantala, a beneficiary from Batch C2 in the Agro segment, echoed similar sentiments, stating that despite being enrolled in October 2022, he was owed nine months of stipends with repeated promises of payment.

Dantala emphasized that, despite making inquiries about his posting, he has not been assigned to a specific place to serve.

Reacting to the beneficiaries’ concerns, Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo, the National Programme Manager of the N-Power Scheme, assured them that the government is committed to settling all outstanding claims.

He explained that the temporary suspension of the program was implemented to investigate and address genuine claims, urging Nigerians to understand the rationale behind these measures.

The N-Power scheme, initiated by the Federal Government on June 8, 2016, as part of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (N-SIPA), aimed to tackle youth unemployment and enhance social interventions.

The concerns raised by beneficiaries underscore the importance of timely and consistent support to sustain the program’s positive impact on participants’ lives.