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Alleged Attack on NLC leadership : “NLC is feeling guilty in hatching its hidden agenda influenced by partisan considerations,” Says Onanuga
…Pressure mounts on NLC over planned protests
Political leaders, pan-ethnic organisations and civil society groups yesterday mounted pressure on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its proposed protest over the rising cost of living.
The two-day protest is billed for tomorrow and Wednesday.
Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere; Lagos People’s Assembly (LPA) and Arewa Think-Tank cautioned against blackmailing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with protests.
They stressed that the Federal Government deserves cooperation in its bid to tackle the economic challenges.
Last week, Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu urged the NLC to toe the line dialogue.
He urged the people to shun any form of protest.
The Directorate of State Service (DSS) warned that there is a possibility of the protest being hijacked, thereby turning an otherwise peaceful exercise into a violent one.
According to a statement by its spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, the protest may herald violence that may further impact negatively on the economy.
At the weekend, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Lateef Fagbemi warned the NLC leaders not to risk contempt of court.
The Lagos Police Command also warned protesters against impeding the flow of traffic in Lagos during the protest.
The Police Commissioner, Fayoade Adegoke, said violation of human rights by protesters will not be permitted.
Trade Union Congress (TUC), the second labour centre, disowned the NLC’s plan, saying it was uncalled for and unilaterally decided.
However, the NLC yesterday insisted that the protest would go on.
Its President, Joe Ajaero, said: “We remain resolute, determined and prepared to express our pain and grief peacefully as Nigerians come 27th and 28th of February 2024.”
Ajaero, who maintained that NLC would go ahead with its plan to protest the “mounting hunger and insecurity” in the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, accused the Federal Government of trying to use an amorphous group – Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF) – to attack its members during the rallies.
He said there would be a total shutdown of the country through the withdrawal of services by workers if any of its members were attacked during the protest.
Ajaero alleged in a statement that the right to protest and freedom from slavery was being threatened in Nigeria.
The statement reads: “We would want to inform Nigerians that the state has perfected plans to attack our peaceful rallies across the country.
“One of the groups being primed to attack our peaceful rallies is by a nebulous name, Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF).
“NCSF is one of the emergency groups put together, funded, promoted and remote-controlled by the government to cause violence against our members for electing to peacefully protest against hunger in the land.
“We would want the state to know that the solution to our horrible economic situation and hunger is not by suppressing peaceful dissent or inflicting violence on peacefully protesting citizens as the government did in Minna and other cities where its agents tear-gassed and beat up women before locking them up for raising their voices against hunger.
“It does not lie in the deployment of state-sponsored terror. The pangs of hunger cannot be cowed by bullets or tear gas.
“In light of this, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress and civil society allies are moving ahead with our protest rallies against economic hardship and insecurity in line with the decision of the National Executive Council.
“As citizens, we have a fundamental right to peaceful protest and history bears us witness that our protests are always peaceful except in instances of state-engineered violence.
“In light of this, we advise the state to put on its thinking cap and find solutions to the pains it continues to cause the people instead of further dehumanising them.
“However, if it is irrevocably set on the path of violence against us and other peace-loving Nigerians, it will be making a costly mistake because if we are attacked, there will be a total shutdown via withdrawal of services by workers.
“Let no one be deceived, we and other deprived Nigerians cannot easily be intimidated.
“Lest those in power now who may have forgotten be reminded, we faced a more resourceful and resilient adversary in order to have democracy.
“All we are saying now is: let there be food for the people, let the people live in safety, let the people live a life of dignity devoid of suffocating IMF/World Bank economic policies.
“Once again, we advise those waiting in the wings to unleash violence on us that this is not about the NLC but about Nigerians who are saying ‘enough is enough’, about a people who have resolved not to be further pushed into the pit of misery and hopelessness, while a few live in obscene luxury at our collective expense.”
Also, two groups, The Joint Action Front (JAF) and the Coalition for Revolution (CORE) said they would participate in the protest in solidarity with the NLC.
No plan to attack NLC, says Fed Govt
The Federal Government denied the allegation of a planned attack on NLC leadership, describing it as “speculative”.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, said by raising the allegation, “NLC is feeling guilty in hatching its hidden agenda influenced by partisan considerations”.
Onanuga, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said the planned protest is illegal as it is against a subsisting order of the court.
He said the NLC had a hidden agenda because most of the issues raised by labour for embarking on the protest had been addressed by the government.
Onanuga insisted that the issues raised by the labour had been addressed by the government, including the payment of a wage award of N35,000 for six months.
He said the money had been paid to civil servants up till January and only that of February is outstanding.
The President’s aide said the Federal Government had inaugurated a 37-member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to review and come up with an acceptable and sustainable Minimum Wage.
He said the government had made substantial financial commitments on the provision of CNG Buses and Conversion Kits.
Onanuga said the busses will be rolled out very soon to alleviate the transportation challenges being faced by Nigerians.
Counsel to NLC Femi Falana said the proposed protest is legal, stressing that the union will not be committing any contempt of court.
In his reply to Fagbemi, he said: “Having withdrawn the contempt proceedings filed against the NLC and TUC for embarking on public protest on August 2, 2023, you ought not to have threatened the NLC with contempt of court over its plan to hold rallies from February 27-28, 2024 against the astronomical cost of living in the country.”
Falana recalled that following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu on May 29, last year, the Federal Government commenced negotiations with the NLC and the TUC.
He said while the negotiations were in progress, the Federal Ministry of Justice rushed to the National Industrial Court to file Suit No NICN/ABJ/158/2023 against Labour on the same issue.
Falana said on June 5, 2023, Justice Yemi Anuwe granted the application of the Federal Government for an ex parte order to restrain the NLC and TUC from embarking on strike against the removal of fuel subsidy.
He added: “Although both the NLC and TUC complied with the ex-parte order, they promptly applied to set aside same for want of jurisdiction.
“They equally asked for a stay of execution of the order ex parte pending the determination of the motion.”
Falana said the application to set aside the ex-parte order filed by the defendants and the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants have not been considered as parties resolved to settle the case out of court.
Though the parties signed a 16-point memorandum of understanding, he said the Federal Government did not implement all the terms of the agreement.
Hence, on August 2, 2023, both NLC and TUC held a peaceful protest throughout the country.
He regretted that instead of implementing the agreement, the Federal Government initiated contempt proceedings against the NLC and TUC at the National Industrial Court.
He said they challenged the competence of the contempt proceedings, but the Federal Government turned around to withdraw the application for contempt.
He also recalled that on November 10, 2023, the Federal Government filed another suit, NICN/ABJ/322/2023, at the National Industrial Court against the NLC and TUC, notwithstanding the pendency of Suit No. Suit No NICN/ABJ/158/2023.
He said on that same day, the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, granted an ex-parte order to restrain the NLC and TUC from embarking on the planned strike.
He said the judge, however, directed that the case file be transferred to Justice Olufunke Yemi Anuwe who is handling a similar labour dispute between the same parties.
Both NLC and TUC challenged the competence of the fresh suit on the ground that it constituted a gross abuse of the court process.
Falana said the application has not been heard and determined by the National Industrial Court to date.
Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti urged Nigerians to refrain from protests that can escalate tension.
He said the outcry over the hardship, hunger, and price hikes was not unexpected, urging Nigerians to come to terms with the realities of the national challenges, which the President is tackling.
The Yoruba leader said in a statement in Akure, Ondo State, that the difficult economic measures were part of a larger strategy aimed at restoring economic prosperity and stability.
The statement reads: “Government’s commitment to implementing these measures is a testament to its dedication to addressing the root causes of our economic challenges, inherited from the ills of the previous years.
“As a responsible leader, I appeal to every Yoruba man and woman, young and old, and our fellow citizens across the nationalities to exercise patience and refrain from engaging in protests or actions that may escalate tension.
“Understandably, the immediate impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms is challenging to everyone, but it is crucial to give the government the necessary time to realise the intended benefits.
“It is important to note that the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira are not undertaken lightly, as we all know the great damage done to our national prosperity through the nefarious activities of the agents of darkness within the oil and financial sectors.
“These measures by the Federal Government, though painful in the short term, are designed to create a more sustainable economic environment that will benefit us all in the long run.
“It requires collective understanding and resilience from every citizen as we navigate through these challenging times.
“We cannot afford a preference for the euthanasic approach of painless death of our nation where we are propped up with loans and subsidies until a total collapse into a failed nation, while we have the opportunity of painful healing through treatment with multiple surgeries that will guarantee not just our survival, but restored health, vigour and thriving life. We must endure today’s hardship for tomorrow’s prosperity.
“I implore you to trust in the government’s commitment to the welfare of our nation. Let us engage in constructive dialogue and contribute positively to the ongoing economic reforms.
“Join me in appealing for unity and understanding among our people. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger as a nation.
“I want to assure you as the Leader of Afenifere, that we are actively engaging with the government at different levels to address the concerns of our people.
“Let us remain steadfast, patient, and united in the face of these challenges, confident that our collective resilience will pave the way for a more prosperous future.”
A group, ‘Lagos People’s Assembly (LPA), warned against the protest by the NLC, saying it could be hijacked by men of violence.
It called for dialogue between the Federal Government and Labour.
LPA noted that Nigerians are going through economically challenging times like citizens of other countries, recalling that the hardship had been predicted.
Addressing reporters in Lagos, one of its conveners, Gbenga Soloki, said the removal of the fuel subsidy regime by the Tinubu Administration and the unification of the forex system were inevitable in terminating the haemorrhaging of the economy.
He said while the new economic measures have come with pains as underscored by the high prices of goods and services, the revenue accruing to the government at all tiers has increased.
Another activist, Nelson Ekujimi, drew attention to various palliatives by the Federal Government, the Sanwo-Olu Administration and local councils to ease the burden on Lagosians.
He added: “We are earnestly adding our voices to that of other patriots and men and women of goodwill and peace, to call on the NLC to shelve its two days of protest marches for the sake of national peace and security.
“While we recognise the right of the labour unions to embark on protest or strike, going on a protest march at this point will be injurious to the economic wellbeing of Lagosians, Nigerians and a negation of what labour stands for.
“Lagos State is a volatile environment because it is the envy of anti-democratic elements who would stop at nothing to pull the state and Nigeria backwards at the slightest opportunity.
“The trauma of the 2020 EndSARS protests with its damage to limbs, destruction of life and public and private properties still haunts us to date.”
Ekunjimi called for a constructive engagement between the government and the citizenry instead of opting for a protest that could turn violent.
The police in Lagos warned intending protesters not to disrupt the flow of traffic.
Police Commissioner Adegoke warned in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, that anyone or group of persons found infringing on the rights of other citizens would be dealt with.
He assured law-abiding residents that necessary measures had been put in place for the safety of life and property.
Former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka, appealed to NLC to shelve its planned protest in national interest.
He cautioned that embarking on an industrial action at this period may be a recipe for the breakdown of civil order.
Ajaka said in a statement in Abuja that President Tinubu needs the support of Nigerians in his bid to reposition the economy.
The statement read: “I dutifully join other patriots in identifying with the concerns of fellow Nigerians over the prevailing economic hardship in our dear country; and also to offer counsel to the NLC against embarking on their proposed protest.”
A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank, lamented that greedy politicians were instigating Nigerians to protest.
Its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, who spoke with reporters in Kaduna, said there will be light at the end of the tunnel because President Tinubu is working hard to end the hardship.
He said: “I don’t want us to over dramatise this and fall into the traps of those who don’t want the administration of President Bola Tinubu to succeed. We should be cautious because all over the world, there are economic challenges.
“I am not defending the government. I know that there are real issues, but let’s look at the genuine ones. We shouldn’t allow disgruntled politicians or disgruntled elements in collaboration with foreigners to destabilise our country.
“Let’s see how we can give Tinubu-led government some breathing space and some time before we start coming down heavy on it.
“One of the fastest ways the Arewa Think Tank is suggesting to the federal, state and local governments to ameliorate these challenges and food insecurity in the country at the moment is for these three tiers of government to sit together and ensure that in every local government in Nigeria, the sum of N20 million is set aside every month to buy foodstuffs and distribute to the most needy.
“If this can be done in the next three to six months, it will go a long way to ameliorate this artificial food scarcity and food insecurity which were created by some very greedy politicians, middlemen and businessmen.”
The Federal Government has barred ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies and other government appointees from embarking on official foreign trips without prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The government also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation a mandatory requirement for processing official travel documents, including official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to top government officials and heads of major Federal Government institutions.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of government agencies and individuals claiming to represent the Federal Government, following the controversy surrounding the self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The controversy has raised questions about how individuals claiming official status can undertake engagements in the name of Nigeria, including foreign engagements, without clear evidence of government authorisation.
However, the latest directive is broader and applies to Federal Government appointees generally.
The circular, titled “Non-Compliance by Government Appointees with the Requirement for OSGF Approval for Official Foreign Trips and the Mandatory Inclusion of OSGF Approval in the Processing of Official Visas,” said the government had observed that some officials continued to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining the required clearance.
It stated, “It has been observed with concern that some Federal Government Appointees continue to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), contrary to extant government directives and established administrative procedures regulating official travels outside the country.”
The SGF recalled that the government had issued several circulars over the years to regulate official foreign travel by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.
According to the circular, these directives were issued “with a view to promoting accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of Government business.”
The circular listed a September 18, 2023, circular on “Guidelines for Official Travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Agencies and Public Officials”, a March 31, 2015, circular on “Guidelines for Official Trips by Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, Boards of Corporations and Government-Owned Companies” and a September 27, 2017, circular on “Additional Cost Control Measures to Guide Foreign Trips by Ministers and Senior Government Officials.”
It also referenced a March 8, 2018, circular on “Observed Indifferent Adherence to Extant Regulations Guiding the Conduct of Foreign Trips by Public Officials” and a November 20, 2012, circular on “Further Cost-Cutting Measures and Fiscal Prudence on Travel by Cabinet Members.”
Despite the previous directives, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had persisted.
The circular stated, “Despite these directives, instances of non-compliance continue to be recorded.”
It warned that the development had broader implications for government administration, stating, “This trend undermines Government’s efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official foreign engagements undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The government consequently reaffirmed the requirement for prior clearance.
The circular stated, “Accordingly, all official foreign trips undertaken by Federal Government appointees shall continue to require prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before such trips are undertaken, except where otherwise expressly provided by law or by specific Presidential directive.”
It added, “This requirement is consistent with the principles of due process, centralised coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources, as reflected in the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition, the Financial Regulations (Revised Edition, January 2009) and other extant Government directives.”
As part of the immediate measures to strengthen compliance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to ensure that evidence of OSGF approval forms part of the documentation required for official foreign travel.
The circular directed that “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall include evidence of valid OSGF approval, where applicable, as a mandatory requirement in the processing of requests for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and all applications relating to official foreign travel by Government Appointees.”
The ministry was further directed to communicate the requirement to foreign missions and embassies operating in Nigeria.
It stated, “The ministry is further requested to formally communicate this requirement to all Foreign Missions and Embassies accredited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, advising that applications for Official, Diplomatic or Service Visas by Government Appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval as part of the mandatory supporting documentation.”
The new measure therefore gives foreign missions an additional means of verifying whether a Nigerian government official travelling on official business has received the required authorisation.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation was also assigned responsibility for checking compliance with the directive during audit exercises.
According to the circular, “The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation shall require every government appointee who undertook an official foreign trip at public expense to produce evidence of the requisite OSGF approval during audit exercises.”
The government further warned that public funds spent on unauthorised foreign trips would be subject to scrutiny.
It stated, “Any expenditure incurred in respect of official foreign travel undertaken without the required approval shall be reported appropriately in accordance with extant Financial Regulations and applicable audit procedures.”
The directive also places a direct responsibility on accounting officers and heads of Federal Government institutions to prevent the processing of public funds for unauthorised trips.
It stated, “Accounting Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Federal Government Agencies shall ensure that no expenditure relating to official foreign travel by government appointees is processed unless the requisite OSGF approval has first been obtained.”
The SGF consequently directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure compliance.
The circular stated, “All Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of this Circular.”
It further stated that the directive was effective immediately, declaring, “This circular takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions, without prejudice to existing extant regulations governing official foreign travel.”
The circular was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President; all Honourable Ministers and Ministers of State; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; National Security Adviser; Economic Adviser to the President; Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.
It was also addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and Inspector-General of Police; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission; Chairman, Police Service Commission; Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau; Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal; Chairman, Federal Character Commission; Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission; Chairman, National Population Commission; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Other recipients listed in the circular were all permanent secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments; Clerk of the National Assembly; Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Accountant-General of the Federation; Auditor-General for the Federation; and Directors-General and Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government-Owned Companies.
The breadth of the recipients means the directive covers ministers, senior political appointees, permanent secretaries, security chiefs, heads of regulatory and anti-corruption bodies, electoral institutions, financial institutions, government agencies and government-owned companies.
The development is coming against the backdrop of the controversy over the purported PFIPC, which has drawn attention to the need for stronger verification of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government.
The purported PFIPC and its self-styled Director-General, Adeyemi, have been at the centre of investigations into alleged impersonation and the use of questionable government documents.
The matter has also raised concerns about how purported government officials could engage public institutions and foreign entities while claiming to represent Nigeria.
The latest directive, however, does not single out the purported PFIPC or Adeyemi.
Instead, it establishes a general requirement that government appointees must obtain central approval before undertaking official foreign engagements.
By directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand evidence of OSGF approval, the government is also creating a formal verification mechanism for foreign missions processing travel documents for Nigerian officials.
The financial provisions of the circular further link official travel approval to accountability for public expenditure, as accounting officers have been directed not to process expenses relating to foreign trips unless the required approval has been obtained.
The measures are expected to strengthen the Federal Government’s control over official foreign engagements, reduce unauthorised travel and ensure that persons travelling abroad in the name of the government have the necessary approval to represent Nigeria.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has revealed that the Federal Government will provide qualified Nigerian shipowners with up to $25m each, under the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, a move he said could strengthen indigenous shipping and create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
This comes as he also disclosed that disbursement of the long-awaited CVFF to qualified Nigerian shipowners to strengthen indigenous shipping and create thousands of jobs will soon commence.
Oyetola disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday, saying the government was finally moving to unlock the fund more than 20 years after it was established.
He said the initiative would help address one of the major challenges confronting Nigerian shipowners.
“After more than 20 years, we are finally moving to unlock the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for Nigerian shipowners. This is a major step towards building a stronger Nigerian-owned shipping industry, creating jobs and ensuring that more of the value generated from activities in our maritime space stays in Nigeria.
“Under the CVFF, each successful applicant will be able to access up to $25 million in financing to acquire vessels, subject to the applicable assessment and approval process. This is significant because access to affordable, long-term financing has been one of the major challenges limiting the growth of Nigerian-owned shipping companies”, the minister stated.
On how the fund would improve the competitiveness of indigenous operators, the minister said, “With access to financing at very low interest rates, our shipowners can acquire modern vessels, expand their fleets and compete for coastal and offshore contracts that are currently dominated by foreign operators.
“Our objective is to ensure that more Nigerian-owned vessels operate on Nigerian waters, more Nigerian businesses participate in our maritime economy, and more Nigerians benefit from the wealth our waters generate. Providing Nigerian shipowners with the financial capacity to acquire vessels is a critical step towards reducing foreign dominance in our maritime space.”
Oyetola said he had directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to accelerate the process of disbursing the fund to qualified applicants.
He stated, “I have, therefore, directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to work closely with the 12 approved banks, known as Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs), to accelerate the disbursement of the fund to qualified applicants.
“NIMASA has so far received 92 applications. Of these, 20 have been forwarded to the Primary Lending Institutions, while one has so far been reviewed and forwarded for approval. To further speed up access, we have expanded the number of approved banks from five to 12 and launched the CVFF Application Portal to make the process more transparent, structured and accessible.”
Writers urged to promote inclusive maritime sector
The minister added that the expected impact of the fund extended beyond vessel acquisition, as increased indigenous ownership could stimulate several areas of the maritime economy.
He said, “The disbursement of the CVFF could help create a stronger indigenous fleet, which will in turn stimulate activity in shipyards, marine engineering, vessel maintenance, maritime logistics and other supporting industries. It could also create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, while strengthening Nigeria’s ship-owning and shipbuilding ecosystem.
“This initiative is part of the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, strengthening indigenous capacity and ensuring that Nigerians take a greater share of the opportunities in our maritime sector.”
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to develop the human resources needed to support the maritime industry.
“Financing vessels is only one part of building a stronger indigenous maritime industry. We are equally investing in the people who will power this industry. So far, 222 seafarers have received free professional training, 333 cadets have completed their academic training and obtained degrees, while 135 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) have obtained their Certificates of Competency. In addition, 7,059 Nigerian seafarers have been placed onboard vessels to gain valuable sea-time experience.”
“We are determined to ensure that Nigerians own, operate and benefit from the economic activities taking place in Nigeria’s maritime space. We are building the capacity to make that happen — through vessel financing, skills development, indigenous enterprise and strategic investment in our maritime sector. The work continues”, the minister concluded.
The CVFF was established under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003 to support Nigerian shipping companies in acquiring vessels and developing indigenous capacity. Its disbursement has, however, been delayed for more than two decades.
The Federal Government launched the CVFF application portal in January 2026 and announced that successful applicants could access up to $25m in financing. NIMASA subsequently began receiving applications from interested operators.
NIMASA had disclosed in April that it received more than 60 applications within four months of opening the portal, with the agency promising that the disbursement process would be transparent and strictly monitored.
The latest figure provided by Oyetola represents an increase in applications to 92, although only one application has so far been reviewed and forwarded for approval, according to the minister.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged failure to account for N33.75 billion in cash transfers meant for vulnerable Nigerians.
Falana, Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), also urged the anti-graft agency to work with the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF) to recover the funds if investigations establish that they were diverted.
He made the demand in a statement on Sunday following a report by the Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, which raised concerns over the inability of the Federal Government to provide sufficient evidence that N33.75 billion in cash transfers reached genuine beneficiaries.
The disclosure is contained in the AuGF’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.
According to Falana, the funds were intended for more than 3.29 million vulnerable households under the National Social Investment Programme.
He said the development was particularly concerning given the safeguards introduced by the Federal Government to strengthen the tracking of beneficiaries and prevent the inclusion of ghost recipients.
The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was established as a statutory agency under the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act 2022, with responsibility for implementing major social intervention programmes, including N-Power, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the National Cash Transfer Programme and the National Social Safety Net Programme.
Falana said the agency had, however, been plagued by allegations of financial impropriety involving some officials.
He recalled that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, had been investigated by the EFCC over alleged money laundering involving more than N37.1 billion.
He also cited the suspension of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, following a December 2023 memo directing the transfer of N585 million in public intervention funds to a private bank account.
Falana said the then Chief Executive Officer of NSIPA, Halima Shehu, was also suspended and questioned over alleged suspicious movement of funds.
He said the EFCC should conclude its investigations into the various allegations and make its findings public.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should liaise with the Auditor-General of the Federation with a view to recovering the missing N33.75 billion,” Falana said.
He urged the EFCC to immediately investigate what he described as a serious allegation of the criminal diversion of funds earmarked for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
“All the characters involved in the shameful conduct should be arrested and prosecuted without any delay,” he said.
Falana further raised concerns over the implementation of a $3.05 billion package of development programmes unveiled by President Bola Tinubu in July 2026.
The package, supported by the World Bank, is aimed at deepening poverty reduction, strengthening human capital and expanding economic opportunities across the country.
Falana urged the Federal Government to ensure that funds meant for poverty reduction reached their intended beneficiaries and suggested the establishment of a body comprising credible civil society organisations to oversee the disbursement of the development funds.
He said stronger accountability mechanisms were necessary to prevent public officials from abusing funds intended to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
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