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133m poor Nigerians: SERAP asks Buhari to probe spending on ‘social intervention programmes’
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “promptly set up a presidential panel of enquiry to thoroughly, impartially, effectively and transparently investigate spending on all social safety nets and poverty alleviation programmes and projects executed between 2015 and 2022.”
SERAP also urged him “to ensure the findings of any such investigation are widely published, and suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement of public funds meant to take care of the poor should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient evidence, and any stolen public funds should be recovered.”
A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows damning revelations that some 133 million Nigerians are poor, despite the government reportedly spending N500 billion yearly on ‘social investment programmes.’ Half of all poor people in the country are children.
In the letter dated 19 November 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The report suggests a grave violation of the public trust, and the lack of political will to genuinely address poverty, and uphold your government’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.”
SERAP said, “The report that 133 million Nigerians are poor suggests corruption and mismanagement in the spending of trillions of naira on social safety nets and poverty alleviation programmes, including the reported disbursement of over $700 million from the repatriated Abacha looted funds to these programmes.”
SERAP also said, “Your government has legal obligations to effectively and progressively address and combat extreme poverty as a matter of human rights.”
SERAP said, “The failure to address extreme poverty has resulted in high levels of inequality, and serious violations of economic and social rights of Nigerians, particularly the socially and economically vulnerable sector of the population.”
The letter, copied to Mr Olivier DE SCHUTTER, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, read in part: “These grim revelations by the NBS show the failure to fulfil your oft-repeated promise to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, and that no one will be left behind.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“The report also shows that the purported social safety nets and poverty alleviation programmes are clearly not working. It also shows a failure by your government to uphold the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights of the Nigerian people.”
“SERAP also urges you to prioritise investment in quality education and healthcare, and to redirect some of the unnecessary spendings in the 2023 budget such as spending by the presidency on feeding and travels, and money allocated to the National Assembly in the budget to address poverty as a human rights issue.”
“A supplementary appropriation bill, which reflects the proposed redirected budget should be urgently sent to the National Assembly for its approval.”
“Your government has a sacred duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of the country’s resources, including the spending of public funds on social safety nets and poverty alleviation programmes and projects.”
“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’”
“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), your government has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy, and to “secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.”
“Nigeria has also ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognize legally enforceable economic and social rights, such as the rights to education, health, safe food and clean water, security, and shelter.”
“Allegations of corruption in social safety nets and poverty alleviation programmes pose both direct and indirect threats to human rights, and contribute to extreme poverty in the country.”
“Nigerians have the right to be free from poverty. Extreme poverty is the greatest denial of the exercise of human rights, as it denies millions of Nigerians not only their economic and social rights but also civil and political rights such as the rights to life, human dignity, and political participation.”
“Political freedom and participation are closely related to human development. Without economic and social rights, people cannot effectively enjoy their political freedom. Therefore, effectively and progressively addressing poverty would improve the ability of Nigerians to exercise their political freedom and to have choices in life.”
“Successive governments have systematically neglected social and economic rights, and failed to address severe poverty and inequality in the country.”
“Part of the problem is the failure by your government to promote the legal recognition of economic and social rights in the Nigerian Constitution, which would allow people living in poverty to seek redress for violations of their human rights.”
“The allegations corruption and mismanagement in the spending of public funds on social safety-nets and poverty alleviation programmes and projects would clearly amount to a fundamental breach of national anticorruption laws and the country’s international anticorruption obligations.”
“Investigating and prosecuting the allegations, and recovering any stolen public funds would serve the public interest.”
“SERAP notes that the consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”
“Corruption undermines the economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of employment opportunities.”
“The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey reveals that 65% of the poor (86 million people) live in the North, while 35% (nearly 47 million) live in the South. Poverty levels across States vary significantly, with the incidence of multidimensional poverty ranging from a low of 27% in Ondo to a high of 91% in Sokoto.”
“The NBS also shows that over half of the population of Nigeria are multidimensionally poor and cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than clean energy. High deprivations are also appeared nationally in sanitation, time to healthcare, food insecurity, and housing. Half of all poor people are children.”
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has disbursed a total of Two Hundred and Four Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-five Thousand, two hundred and nine naira and eighty kobo (N204,275,209.80) to the next of kin of all staff who died in active service.
According to a government house statement in Osogbo on Monday, the disbursement covers all those, whose documentations have been completed in the Pension Office.
It added that the disbursement was made up of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Eighty-Three Naira, Forty-Five Kobo (#125,631,083.45) for the State level beneficiaries and Seventy-Eight Million, Six Hundred Fort-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira, Thirty-Five Kobo (#78,644,126.35) for Local Government level beneficiaries.
It was gathered that from 2023 to date, the administration had paid a total of Eight Hundred and Eighty-two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventeen Naira, Fifty Kobo (₦882,752,717.50) to a total of One Hundred and Eighty-Four (184) beneficiaries across the entire gamut of the public service.
Under the personal accident insurance scheme, the administration had approved and released a total of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Fifteen Kobo (₦1,866,719,123.15) being the outstanding claims of the Five Hundred and Sixty-three (563) beneficiaries covering September 2013 to 1st of August 2023.
The sharing of cheques for the new beneficiaries was held today at Osogbo with the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina representing the state governor.
In the address of the governor presented by the Head of Service, Governor Adeleke reiterated that his commitment to workers and pensioners’welfare remain unshaken despite the financial challenges facing the state, adding that “what my predecessor failed to implement is what I am executing now.
“When we stated clearly in our 5 – point Action Plan, our desire to make the welfare of the workforce and the pensioners No. 1 priority, our detractors made jest of us, describing the pledge as an impossibility. Today, to the glory of God, we have made significant progress as a talk and do administration”, the governor noted.
He explained that the Group Life Assurance Policy, under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) 2008, Section 15, is designed to cater for death-in-service benefits for Osun State workforce, describing the refusal of the previous government to commit to its settlement as inhumane and uncharitable.
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The governor faulted the previous administration for foisting and condoning irregularities in the payment of Premium to the Insurance Company for the settlement of claims to the beneficiaries.
To correct the anomalies, Governor Adeleke said his administration approved the engagement of VALANIS Insurance Brokers Ltd., as the lead Broker while Capital Express Assurance Plc was engaged as the Lead Insurance Underwriter in August 2023.
“Since then, my Administration had paid a total of Eight Hundred and Eighty-two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventeen Naira, Fifty Kobo (₦882,752,717.50) to a total of One Hundred and Eighty-Four (184) beneficiaries across the entire gamut of the public service.
“It is also heartwarming that the Insurance Company has added another package known as Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) to the Group Life Assurance Scheme for the State Workforce, which is a free package. Under this package, each officer of the workforce, no matter the Grade Level, is entitled to a sum of One Million (N1,000,000.00) Naira only, for the payment of Medical Expenses for all accidents resulting in bodily injuries.
“This new addition is no doubt a reflection of my commitment to the welfare of all staff in the Public Service. Three (3) of our insured workers had benefitted from this policy to the tune of millions naira.
“As an advocate of politics without bitterness and as one who is committed to the welfare of the entire workforce, dead or alive, I have approved and released a total of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Fifteen Kobo (₦1,866,719,123.15) being the outstanding claims of the Five Hundred and Sixty-three (563) beneficiaries covering September 2013 to 1st of August 2023.
“This was what our predecessors failed to do thereby making life difficult for the beneficiaries.
“Despite our present financial challenges, we have continued to fulfil our electioneering campaign promises on staff welfare and funding of the pension industry.
“This morning, cheques of Two Hundred and Four Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-five Thousand, two hundred and nine naira and eighty kobo (N204,275,209.80) will be distributed to the beneficiaries. This made up of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Eighty-Three Naira, Forty-Five Kobo (#125,631,083.45) for the State level beneficiaries and Seventy-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira, Thirty-Five Kobo (#78,644,126.35) for Local Government level beneficiaries”, the governor told the elated beneficiaries.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Alhaji M.K. Bello, a retired Director of Administration, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for approving the reorganisation and disbursement of the cheques, describing the Governor as God-sent.
According to him, “the holistic attention to workers’ Welfare by Governor Adeleke is unprecedented in the history of Osun governance”, adding “we are grateful”.
Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has reinforced its position as Africa’s most influential corporate brands after emerging as the continent’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth consecutive year.
In the same vein, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.
The recognition was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The survey, regarded as Africa’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study, covered 30 countries representing more than 85 per cent of the continent’s population and economic output.
In the latest rankings, the DIL emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in aided recall, ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, it ranked second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings.
The Group also retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa, ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its significant contribution to industrialisation, job creation, economic development and sustainable growth across the continent.
The rankings show Dangote’s growing influence as one of Africa’s most recognisable corporate brands, built on investments spanning cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics.
Brand Africa noted that despite a modest rebound in African brand recognition, homegrown brands still account for only 15 per cent of Africa’s 100 most admired brands, highlighting the continued dominance of foreign brands across the continent.
Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, described the promotion and support of African brands as a critical economic imperative for the continent.
“Converting goodwill towards African contribution into admiration for African brands is the most urgent commercial opportunity for the continent. It is not enough for Africans to believe in Africa, they must buy Made-in-Africa,” he said.
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The survey also ranked Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, placing second in the category of brands recognised for doing good for society, people and the environment.
Despite the dominance of global brands across Africa, Dangote has cemented its position as one of the continent’s leading corporate brands, alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines.
The three emerged as the highest ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, standing out on a list dominated by global names such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola. The achievement is notable given that African brands accounted for just 15 per cent of the Top 100 rankings, compared with 38 per cent for European brands, 28 per cent for North American brands and 19 per cent for Asian brands.
Further strengthening the Group’s standing, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list, which recognises the continent’s most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders.
The ACMO100 initiative, launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency, honours marketing executives whose work is shaping Africa’s business narrative, strengthening brand equity and driving economic growth across the continent and the diaspora.
Chiejina was among only 20 executives selected from West Africa and one of 17 Nigerians recognised for their contribution to brand building, corporate reputation management and strategic communications.
According to Brand Africa, the selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence and contribution to the growth of brands that shape consumer perceptions and economic outcomes across Africa.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for Dangote Industries, which was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame last year for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade. Its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for championing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.
Persistent disagreements involving foreign training placements have escalated to trade disputes with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), shutting down the operations of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which forced the regulator to suspend operations nationwide.
Members of the PENGASSAN blocked entrances and halted administrative functions, demanding clarity on training allocations and alleging favoritism in who was chosen for overseas programmes.
It was gathered that the PENGASSAN embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike, shutting down all commission offices across Nigeria, because of a dispute over foreign training.
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The industrial action, which commenced on Monday, led to a total shutdown of regulatory activities at NUPRC headquarters in Abuja and all field offices nationwide, effectively grounding administrative and operational functions of the upstream petroleum regulator.
Sources familiar with the development said the strike followed the breakdown of negotiations between the union and management over the handling of staff training programmes, particularly the commission’s position that capacity-building should be conducted locally rather than through overseas training.
According to the sources, management had insisted that training programmes particularly for Factory Acceptance Test for Positive Displacement (PD) Meters be domestically delivered within Nigeria to reduce cost and strengthen local institutional capacity, a stance the workers reportedly rejected.
A security source said that representatives of the parties are presently meeting at the office of the National Security Adviser where a resolution will likely be reached today.
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