N-Power To Pay N2.1Billion As Backlog Stipends To Exited Beneficiaries This Month

Last updated on August 6th, 2023 at 06:54 am

Before the end of this month (January 2021), N-Power is expected to pay N2.1billion as backlog stipends to more than 10,000 exited beneficiaries of the youth empowerment programme.

A check by InfomediaNG shows that some N-Power beneficiaries in batch A and B (2016 and 2017) were owed by the federal government.

Breakdown of Backlogs FG Will Pay

• Number of affected Beneficiaries: 14,200
• Monthly Stipends: N30,000
• Number of months owe them: 5 Months
• Amount each affected volunteers will receive: N150,000
• Total Amount To Be Paid As Backlog: N2,130,000,000

The backlog according to findings wasn’t intentional, but one: as a result of disparity in the details submitted by volunteers.

Two, by the migration from NIBSS to GIFMIS by the Office of Accountant General of the Federation in March 2020.

Recall that the programme was moved from the office of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, a new ministry created by President Muhammadu Buhari after his second term victory in 2019.

Subsequently, Sadiya Umar Farouq was appointed by the Buhari to manage the largest youth empowerment on African continent.

What Sadiya Says About Backlogs

In October 2020, the minister promised that by January 2021, 14,200 owed beneficiaries would be paid.

She said, “Out of the 500,000 combined beneficiaries from Batch A and B only 14,200 have 5 months outstanding stipend arrears.

“The delay in the payment of the arrears arose due to platform migration from NIBSS to GIFMIS by the Office of Accountant General of the Federation in March 2020.”

Authenticating the number of beneficiaries to be paid, she stated that from the consolidated list of beneficiaries her ministry received from the OAGF in September, the 14,200 beneficiaries with arrears of stipend were flagged for receiving a monthly payment from other MDAs, particularly from the NYSC.

“It is possible that the 14,200 beneficiaries used their NYSC allowance bank accounts for N-Power and GIFMIS payment platform picked them for double payment.”

She promised that she initiated State verification process with State N-Power Focal Officers.

“The 14,200 affected beneficiaries will present their NYSC certificates for final verification after which we will present an updated list to OAGF to pay off their 5 months arrears.”

On when they would be paid, Sadiya specifically said “All legitimate claims and those on the verified list will be paid”

We have initiated State verification process with State N-Power Focal Officers. The 14,200 affected beneficiaries will present their NYSC certificates for final verification after which we will present an updated list to OAGF to pay off their 5 months arrears.

— Sadiya Umar Farouq (@Sadiya_farouq) October 27, 2020

They will be paid by January – Aide to Minister

Corroborating the stance of Sadiya, her media aide, Nneka Ikem in a tweet a few days ago disclosed that good news is on the way of the affected exited beneficiaries.

She said, “Are you among the 14,200 @npower_ng beneficiaries awaiting their backlog of stipends? Rejoice for the inquiry is over now”

If your account was earlier flagged by @FGN_GIFMIS then, you won’t be able to log in. But there’s good news coming…!! Are you among the 14,200 @npower_ng beneficiaries awaiting their backlog of stipends? Rejoice for the inquiry is over now. Good news … @npowerite @Npower_Reps

— Nneka Ikem (@nnekaikem1) January 2, 2021

Are you among the 14,200 N-Power beneficiaries expecting a backlog? Share your thoughts with us