Members of the Grant Ecosystem in Nigeria have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the payment of outstanding grants reportedly sourced from international donors, which they said have remained unpaid for 11 years.

The group called on the President to direct relevant government authorities to investigate the status of the grants, verify eligible beneficiaries and establish a clear roadmap for resolving the prolonged payment dispute in line with established government procedures and commitments.

In an appeal addressed to President Tinubu and signed by Amb. Prof. Greg Stephens on behalf of the Grant Ecosystem, the group said the prolonged delay had caused severe financial hardship, anxiety and tension among affected subscribers, their families and other stakeholders.

The statement, made available to newsmen in Asaba, Delta State, at the weekend, also expressed concern that the unresolved matter had reportedly contributed to needless deaths, rivalry among subscribers and stakeholders, and divisions among Nigerians.

According to the group, the persistent uncertainty surrounding the grants has fuelled a blame game that has pitched citizens against one another, instead of encouraging constructive engagement towards finding a lasting solution.

The Grant Ecosystem, therefore, urged President Tinubu to intervene by ensuring that the appropriate authorities provide an official update on the status of the grants, explain the steps being taken to address the outstanding payments and announce a realistic timeline for resolving the matter.

It stressed that affected subscribers deserved clear and verifiable information about the grants, particularly after more than a decade of uncertainty.

The group comprises different associations and individuals, including Grant Fighters, pressure groups, grant handlers, stakeholders, coordinators, non-governmental organisations, cooperative heads and other participants in the grant initiative.

Its members, according to the statement, are spread across Nigeria’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and communities nationwide.

It further appealed to the Federal Government to create an opportunity for representatives of the Grant Ecosystem to meet with the appropriate authorities to clarify outstanding issues, establish the actual status of the grants and identify practical steps towards resolving the dispute.

The body said dialogue remained the most effective means of addressing the concerns, resolving misunderstandings and preventing further divisions among affected Nigerians.

According to the group, resolving the outstanding payments would also help strengthen public confidence in government institutions and promote greater trust between the administration and members of the Grant Ecosystem.

It expressed the hope that President Tinubu’s intervention would bring clarity to the prolonged issue and provide relief to eligible beneficiaries who have waited for years for the settlement of the outstanding grants.

On the political implications of the matter, the group said its members would continue to exercise their democratic rights responsibly and make electoral decisions based on their convictions, expectations and assessment of the performance of public office holders.

It added that a timely and satisfactory resolution could renew the hope of millions of Nigerians and rekindle interest among affected citizens in President Tinubu’s re-election bid.