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Tinubu Govt disburses N493b to 5m households, Says Yusuf-Tanko
Embargo on NSIPA account lifted
No fewer than five million households have received N493billion disbursed by the Federal Government as part of its social protection measures.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, stated this yesterday.
He, however, did not indicate the period during which the cash was made available.
He said the ministry has a budget of over N500 billion captured under the service-wide vote for the National and Social Investment Programme.
The fund is expected to be deployed for the implementation of the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, N-Power training and FarmerMoni, the minister said.
“Already, over five million families, which represent almost 75 million households, have been reached through the rapid response register.
“And over N493 billion has been disbursed,” he said.
Sununu spoke in Abuja at a briefing on ‘sustainable response to address the humanitarian gap arising from the partial suspension of World Food Programme (WFP) operations in the Northeast and Northwest’.
The minister said the funds are disbursed based on the national social register and reflect the report of the multidimensional poverty index in Nigeria.
Sununu said: “The report says that 65 per cent of vulnerable or poor people are in the northern part of the country, while 35 per cent are in the southern part.
“If you look at the urban-rural ratio, it also goes 70-30 per cent.
“Seventy per cent are in the rural areas, while 30 per cent are in the urban areas.
“So the beneficiaries in the northern part of the country are almost 71 per cent, while in the southern part, it’s 29 per cent.
“This is just reflecting the data that we are working with.”
He spoke of a plan to give N300,000 to 21,000 smallholder farmers across the country through the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).
GEEP will be a short-to-long-term loan with no collateral and interest-free.
The aim, he said, is to support farmers who may have suffered losses from flooding and other factors.
“The account of NSIPA was suspended. But I’m glad to say that Mr. President has directed that the account should be open. And the account has been opened.
“The GEEP will be funded with part of that money that is returned to the account of the ministry.
“And Mr. President has always given a go-ahead, considering the emergencies in the country, that money should quickly be returned to the account of the NSIPA.
“Added to the release that we are expecting for 2025, I think we are good to go,” he said.
The minister also unveiled plans for the rollout of the Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG).
In the bid to accelerate the process, the ministry has put modalities in place.
He said: “We employed about 53 companies that will help us in updating the NIN registration for each of those in our national register who don’t have the account number, NIN and BVN.
“The companies have already mobilised to reach out to numerous vulnerable groups. A lot of IDPs are in the National Social Register.”
Sununu said the Tinubu Administration has designed a strategic plan for homegrown solutions to a myriad of humanitarian challenges.
He said the ministry will ensure transparency and accountability and ensure proper multi-level response coordination.
“Mr. President is focusing on the fact that we must redeem the image of the ministry and institute the principle of accountability and transparency.
“We had to develop a memo to the Federal Executive Council, which has got the approval of the Council, to have the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
“This will allow us to develop a programme that is not federal, but national.”
The position of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is vacant once again because of the election of the Minister, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Yilwatda had replaced Dr. Betta Edu, who was suspended to allow for the investigation of allegations of misappropriation.
Security presence surged around the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as operatives from multiple agencies were deployed ahead of the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption-related offences.
By about 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had taken positions at strategic locations leading to the court complex situated within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.
Access roads to the venue witnessed restrictions, forcing vehicles into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and triggering early morning gridlock.
The heavy security followed a prior notice by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be docked alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
The agency explained that the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion, unlawful possession of public property, and money laundering.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.
It further disclosed that another case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been instituted against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
According to the commission, the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.
The ICPC said both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.
It also insisted that El-Rufai had been properly served, stressing its adherence to due process and the rule of law.
The development came amid growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which called for his immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.
In the same vein, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family also alleged a breach of his fundamental rights.
El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.
He has remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then, pending his arraignment.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
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