The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into an alleged ₦26.9bn scandal involving the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). The group wants the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and other relevant authorities to explain how the funds allocated to the USPF have been managed over the years.
In a letter similar to its recent petition on alleged missing ₦2.9bn in NIGCOMSAT and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, SERAP argued that the reported mismanagement in the USPF points to systemic weaknesses in oversight of key public institutions in the communications sector. The organisation cited past Auditor General reports and media investigations which raised red flags about possible diversion, unauthorised investments and opaque spending patterns around funds meant to expand telecoms access to rural, unserved and underserved areas.
SERAP maintained that any misappropriation or diversion of USPF resources would undermine national policy goals for universal access to information and communication technologies, as the fund was specifically created to drive connectivity for disadvantaged communities. It stressed that such allegations, if proven, represent a grave breach of public trust and Nigeria’s obligations under anti corruption conventions.
The group urged Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant anti graft agencies to trace, recover and return any missing or diverted monies to the public treasury. It also warned that failure to act within a reasonable time frame could leave SERAP with no option but to approach the courts to compel the government to conduct an effective, impartial investigation.
SERAP further asked that any officials, contractors or companies found to have benefitted from unlawful transactions involving USPF funds be brought to justice, regardless of status or political affiliation. The group insists that ensuring transparency and accountability in bodies like the USPF is critical to protecting Nigeria’s digital economy and restoring public confidence in the management of special intervention funds.
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