Niger continues NSIP despite suspension of funding by FG

The Niger government has continued to implement the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) despite the suspension of its funding by the Federal Government.

Special Adviser and Focal Person of the NSIP in the state, Hauwa Bako, made the disclosure during a two-day capacity training for staff of the SIP office in Minna, yesterday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the training was, “Enhancing team performance and accountability for effective social investment programme implementation.

President Bola Tinubu had, in January, suspended the NSIP due to allegations of sharp practice in the management of the initiative and its programmes. Bako said the theme of this year’s programme was timely and relevant, as the state prepares to wrap up the year, and lay a strong foundation for 2025. She said the SIP office, in delivering on its core mandates, had empowered the vulnerable and provided sustainable solutions to their needs across the state.

She commended the governor for his support in sustaining the programme. She said her principal’s support had enabled the programme to continue its operations, with over 400 young farmers benefiting from the soilless agriculture initiative under the Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture.

Bako explained that the SIP in Niger had also partnered with the Ministry of Education to improve soilless agriculture in public schools and training for over 4,000 youths across the state.

She encouraged participants to actively engage in the training, share their insights, and commit to implementing what they have learned. In his remarks, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Alhaji Ahmed Yimu, urged the public to support the programme to enable it to achieve its objectives.