A governance advocacy organisation, the Northern Coalition for Accountability and Public Trust (NCAPT), has dismissed allegations by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that ₦26.9 billion is missing from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), describing the claims as exaggerated and lacking proper context.
SERAP had recently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to launch an urgent investigation into the alleged diversion of ₦26.9 billion from the USPF. The group urged the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the Secretary of the USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, to account for the funds.
The controversy deepened after the Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability threatened to mobilise Nigerians for a mass protest if the officials failed to explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing funds.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Abubakar Yusuf Yaro, NCAPT faulted the allegations, insisting that available records do not support claims of large-scale fraud within the USPF.
According to the group, financial data reviewed from the period under investigation showed that the USPF received an average annual allocation of about ₦7.5 billion, making the allegation of a ₦26.9 billion loss questionable.
“Simple arithmetic raises a legitimate question: how does an institution with an average yearly funding of ₦7.5 billion suddenly lose ₦26.9 billion?” the statement queried.
NCAPT further explained that over ₦13.8 billion of the amount referenced reportedly involved operating surplus deductions handled directly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before transfers were made to the USPF.
“According to the records reviewed, the USPF does not receive or retain those funds in the first place,” the organisation stated.
The coalition also maintained that procurement processes linked to the allegations followed due process, noting that approvals were reportedly granted by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and relevant tenders boards.
“Payments reportedly followed certification procedures supported by documentation, reports, and project evidence,” the statement added.
NCAPT accused SERAP of conducting what it described as a “media trial,” stressing that previous audit exercises and reviews by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee reportedly found no irregularities in the operations of the USPF during the same period under review.
The organisation warned against what it called attempts to create a false impression of corruption before constitutional oversight institutions complete their investigations.
“Audit observations are not final proof of corruption. They are queries meant for clarification through established institutional processes,” NCAPT stated.
The group further argued that responsible civic engagement requires fairness, verification, and balance, adding that organisations committed to transparency should seek clarification from all parties before publishing allegations capable of damaging institutional credibility.
NCAPT subsequently called on the National Assembly and other oversight bodies to independently examine all relevant documents, invite concerned parties, and allow due process to take its course without external pressure.
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