News
Nigeria receives additional $215m W’Bank loan for palliatives
The World Bank has disbursed additional funds to Nigeria under the $800m National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up, raising the total amount released to $530m, The PUNCH reports.
World Bank’s official website revealed that the cumulative disbursement had increased from the earlier reported $315m in 2023 to $530m this year, reflecting fresh inflows into Nigeria’s accounts for the palliative programme.
Although the exact day the extra disbursement was made this year could not be independently verified, findings showed that the World Bank was yet to update the detailed section of its portal that typically records transaction dates as of April 30, 2025, suggesting that the disbursement was very recent and likely made this month.
The $800m facility, approved on December 16, 2021, was designed to provide conditional cash transfers to Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens, cushioning the impact of recent economic shocks, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Originally, the programme was structured to deliver N5,000 monthly to targeted households. However, following policy changes introduced by the Bola Tinubu administration, the payment was revised to N25,000 monthly for three months, aimed at reaching 15 million households across the country.
In October and November 2023, the World Bank disbursed $300m and $15m, respectively, to Nigeria under the programme. A review of World Bank records at the time by The PUNCH showed that the cumulative release then stood at $315m.
New data obtained on Thursday shows that an additional $215m has been released, bringing the total disbursement to $530m and reducing the amount available for drawdown to about $226.73m.
This means that 66.25 per cent of the loan has been disbursed, with about 33.75 per cent left.
Despite receiving World Bank approval since December 2021, the implementation of the palliative programme suffered a disbursement delay of nearly 17 months.
While Nigeria awaited disbursements from the World Bank under the $800m National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up loan, data revealed that the country continued to incur and settle interest charges totalling over $6.18m, despite the protracted delay in actual fund utilisation.
World Bank records show that Nigeria paid multiple tranches of interest charges under the financing agreement tagged IDA-70190, including substantial payments made in January and July 2024.
On January 30, 2024, Nigeria paid three separate charges amounting to $822,259.40, $495,603.16, and another $495,603.16, bringing the January total to over $1.81m. These payments came months after the initial $300m and $15m disbursements made in October and November 2023, respectively.
Further charges were paid on July 15, 2024, when four separate interest payments totalling over $5.36m were recorded. The July charges included $1.98m, two entries of $1.19m each, and a separate charge of $3,737.83.
Together with the January payments, Nigeria’s total charges on the loan amounted to approximately $6,181,877.35. These interest charges were paid even as a significant portion of the loan remained undisbursed.
The delays were largely due to administrative bottlenecks, political transitions, and subsequent scandals that rocked the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the supervising agency.
In December 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an alleged N37.1bn fraud within the ministry under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq. Investigations revealed that funds meant for social interventions were allegedly laundered through contractors and other third parties. Umar-Farouq was invited for questioning by the EFCC and detained in January 2024.
Her successor, Dr Betta Edu, was also implicated after reports surfaced that she authorised the transfer of N585m into a private account for the purpose of paying vulnerable groups. The Accountant-General of the Federation rejected the transaction on the grounds that it violated public financial regulations.
Following these revelations, President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu in January 2024 and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the ministry’s financial dealings. The EFCC confirmed the recovery of about N32.7bn and $445,000 linked to the alleged frauds.
Halima Shehu, who served as the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, was also arrested after allegedly moving N44bn from NSIPA accounts to several suspicious destinations.
In light of these developments, President Tinubu appointed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to head a special investigative panel tasked with reviewing and restructuring the architecture of Nigeria’s social investment programmes.
The panel’s mandate is to ensure that future interventions are managed transparently and efficiently, with an emphasis on accountability.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, also partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Identity Management Commission to enforce mandatory registration of beneficiaries with Bank Verification Numbers and National Identity Numbers to tighten controls over disbursement.
Despite the initial disbursement delay, the World Bank rated Nigeria’s implementation of the $800m National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up as only moderately satisfactory, reflecting both progress and significant areas of concern as the project nears its closing date.
Checks on the Bank’s latest Implementation Status and Results Report show that as of January 29, 2025, the progress towards achieving the Project Development Objective was rated moderately satisfactory.
The overall implementation progress was also graded moderately satisfactory, suggesting that while some milestones had been reached, critical gaps remained in execution and delivery.
However, the bank flagged deeper concerns around financial management, procurement processes, and monitoring and evaluation, all of which were rated moderately unsatisfactory.
According to checks on the World Bank’s website, the Washington-based lender noted lapses in how funds were managed, inconsistencies in procurement procedures, and weaknesses in tracking and evaluating programme results.
The National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up is officially scheduled to close on December 31, 2025, pending any extension request from Nigeria to the World Bank.
Prior to the scale up programme, there was an initial National Social Safety Nets Project, approved by the World Bank in June 2016, aimed to provide targeted cash transfers to Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable households.
With an International Development Association credit of $500m, the project sought to establish a national social safety net system. The initial NASSP became effective in October 2017 and officially closed on December 31, 2022.
Despite its objectives, the project faced challenges, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement. A recent document from the World Bank website noted, “The 2020 Fiduciary In-depth Review identified some weaknesses in the procurement system in NCTO and NASSCO, respectively.
“The identified issues are being addressed through an action plan, which will be monitored regularly during the implementation of the parent project and Scale-Up operation.”
The National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office is tasked with managing Nigeria’s National Social Register and coordinating the identification of poor and vulnerable households for cash transfer programmes.
The National Cash Transfer Office, operating under NASSCO, is responsible for administering and disbursing the cash transfers to beneficiaries, ensuring payments are made correctly, and addressing any related grievances.
Both agencies play critical roles in executing the World Bank-supported National Social Safety Net Programme and its Scale-Up by ensuring that financial aid reaches the intended households across the country.
It was also observed that in January 2025, the World Bank announced a 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam.
The debarment was due to findings of fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices related to the NASSP. Investigations revealed that the companies and Didam misrepresented conflicts of interest in their bids, accessed confidential tender information from public officials, and submitted falsified documents
Also, they offered inducements to project officials, violating the World Bank’s anti-corruption guidelines.
The debarment prohibits them from participating in any World Bank-financed projects during the sanction period. Much earlier, on March 12, 2024, the World Bank’s Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer issued a notice of sanctions proceedings against Mr. Akuboh Victor Uneojo, a consultant based in Abuja.
Uneojo was debarred for a minimum period of two years and one month after admitting to making corrupt payments to an intermediary intended to influence a project official’s actions concerning a consultancy contract under the NASSP.
These actions were deemed corrupt practices under the World Bank’s sanctions framework. These sanctions indicate the fraud challenges in the implementation of social safety net programmes in Nigeria.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, with several major generals and brigadier generals redeployed to key command, operational and administrative positions.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Major General IA Ajose has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He moves from the Department of Army Operations at Army Headquarters to take charge of military operations against insurgency in the North-East.
Other notable appointments include:
Major General AE Abubakar — Dean, Faculty of Operational Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General AM Alechenu — Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General RT Utsaha — Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Major General AM Umar — Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.
Major General UM Alkali — Director, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed — Director General, Nigerian Army Finance Corporation.
Major General JE Osifo — Chairman, Military Pension Board.
Major General IE Ekpenyong — Director of Engineering Services, Defence Logistics, Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affects several brigadier generals, including Brigadier General AA Bello, Brigadier General MS Adamu, Brigadier General MS Sule, Brigadier General I Sule, Brigadier General E Azenda and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who have all been assigned to new command or administrative roles.
The Chief of Army Staff directed the newly posted officers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of duty.
More than 24 feared dead in suspected poisoning incident in Ondo
More than 24 people have reportedly died following a suspected poisoning incident in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deaths were recorded in Araromi-Obu, Orita New Town and Odigbo communities, while several other residents affected by the incident are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the incident but said he could not provide further details until medical experts conduct a professional assessment and determine the cause of the deaths and illnesses.
As a precaution, the local government has restricted the sale and consumption of sachet herbal concoctions and similar drinks being hawked in the affected communities.
Residents have been advised to avoid suspicious herbal mixtures, unverified sachet products and other substances of uncertain origin pending the outcome of medical examinations and laboratory tests.
Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the source of the suspected poisoning and confirm the exact cause of the deaths.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Residents of Umudimishi Village, Umuoru, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the worsening menace of gully erosion allegedly caused by illegal and unregulated sand mining activities in the community.
The villagers said about 120 buildings are currently threatened by the expanding gully, with some residents already making arrangements to relocate for fear of losing their homes to the erosion.
In the petition addressed to Governor Soludo and copied to the state Ministries of Environment and Works, the villagers alleged that the activities of sand miners posed a serious threat to human lives, property and the continued existence of the community.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of Umudimishi Development Union, Nze Ibeabuchi Umeugochukwu, stated that several homes in the area were located only a few metres from the mining sites and had consequently become vulnerable to erosion.
The villagers said: “Many homesteads in Umudimishi are close to and along the line of mining by few metres and, as a result, stand eroded in the course of this ecological problem fueled by unregulated sand mining.”
They further alleged that the erosion menace was largely triggered by human activities, particularly unregulated sand mining along the Aguata-Orumba axis, where they said the soil structure was highly susceptible to erosion.
According to them, “Erosion menace is being triggered by human factor of unregulated sand mining, especially as it is in Aguata-Orumba Axis where the sand structure is prone to erosion, which is the major environmental hazard in the region.”
The community also claimed that sand mining had become the major source of environmental crises affecting Umudimishi Quarter, Umuoru Village and Uga generally.
Beyond the environmental consequences, the villagers expressed concern that the availability of quick money from sand mining was discouraging youths from learning vocational skills.
They said many youths now preferred sand mining to acquiring skills, while the worsening erosion had also discouraged residents and prospective investors from establishing businesses in the area.
The villagers therefore appealed to Governor Soludo to permanently shut down the mining sites in Umudimishi to prevent further deterioration of the already deplorable environmental situation.
They also urged the governor to direct the appropriate agency of the Anambra State Government to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion sites and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to tackle the problem and reclaim lands already lost to erosion.
The petitioners said urgent intervention by the state government was necessary to protect lives, homes and the remaining land in the community from further destruction.
News
Major Generals to Receive Up to ₦25.91m Yearly as Tinubu Approves New Military Pension Structure
The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, effective September 1, 2026.
The approval was communicated in a circular issued on September 3 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Under the new structure, the highest-ranking officers—Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals—have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps. The highest figure is equivalent to about ₦2.48 million monthly when divided by 12.
Other approved pensionable salary ranges include:
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals: ₦16.99m–₦25.91m annually.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals: ₦14.98m–₦23.9m.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores: ₦13.86m–₦16.39m.
Colonels, Captains and Group Captains: ₦8.31m–₦9.49m.
Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders: ₦7.55m–₦8.74m.
Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders: ₦5.99m–₦7.01m.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants: ₦5.28m–₦6.42m.
Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers: ₦4.92m–₦5.59m.
The new schedule also covers non-commissioned personnel. Warrant Officers have pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million annually, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen fall within the range of ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million.
The government, however, clarified that the figures are pensionable salaries used to calculate retirement benefits and should not be interpreted as the actual monthly salaries or take-home pay of serving military personnel.
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