Hope has returned for thousands of N-Power beneficiaries across Nigeria, as the Senate stepped in on Tuesday to broker peace and accountability over ₦81 billion in unpaid allowances owed since 2022 and 2023.
The intervention followed a high-stakes meeting convened by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, which brought together aggrieved beneficiaries, federal government representatives, and legal counsel.
The meeting, held in his office at the National Assembly, lasted over two hours and ended with a breakthrough as beneficiaries agreed to suspend their planned lawsuit against the Federal Government.
Speaking after the meeting, Senator Jibrin emphasised the commitment of the Tinubu administration to resolving inherited liabilities and restoring public trust.
“The beneficiaries came to the Senate seeking our help. I reached out to the minister, who responded immediately. He assured us that concrete steps are being taken to clear the arrears,” Jibrin said. “This is a government that listens, and nobody will be left behind under the Renewed Hope agenda.”
The outstanding allowances, totalling ₦81 billion, stem from the 2022 and 2023 budgets. Because they were classified under recurrent expenditure, the funds were not rolled over into the current fiscal year. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, confirmed that the government had obtained approval from the service-wide vote to cover the backlog but was unable to implement the payment last year due to timing constraints.
“We are working on ensuring that the 2025 budget implementation accommodates these payments,” Gwarzo said. “We acknowledge the debt, and I assure all affected beneficiaries that it will be resolved within this year.”
Barrister Abba Hikima, counsel to the beneficiaries, also confirmed the decision to suspend litigation in light of the government’s assurances.
“The government has admitted it owes about ₦81 billion and has given its word to pay. Based on the commitment we heard today, we are stepping back from legal action — for now — in good faith,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, further reinforcing the administration’s unified stance on resolving the lingering issue.
For many of the beneficiaries, the Senate’s intervention represents a turning point.
“We are truly grateful to Senator Barau for taking this issue personally,” said Kehinde James, National Chairman of the N-Power Beneficiaries. “It shows that someone is listening to us. We are now hopeful that after years of waiting, justice will finally be done.”
The N-Power programme, a key component of Nigeria’s youth empowerment strategy, has suffered setbacks in recent years due to funding shortfalls and policy transitions. Tuesday’s breakthrough could mark a major step toward restoring its credibility — and the livelihoods of thousands.
