The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an urgent investigation into the alleged disappearance of ₦26.9bn from the Universal Service Provision Fund.
In a letter dated May 9, 2026, SERAP urged the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the USPF Secretary, Yomi Arowosafe, to account for the funds reportedly missing or diverted from the intervention agency.
The group also asked Tinubu to mandate the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside anti-graft agencies, to promptly investigate the allegations, prosecute anyone found culpable, and ensure full recovery of the funds.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who signed the letter, said the allegations were contained in the 2022 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.
According to the organisation, the report highlighted issues including unaccounted expenditures, failure to remit public funds, irregular contract awards, and payments for services not rendered within the USPF.
“The USPF is vital to expanding telecommunications access in underserved and rural communities, and any diversion of its funds directly undermines its mandate,” SERAP said.
It warned that failure to investigate and recover the funds would deprive Nigerians—particularly those in rural areas—of critical digital infrastructure and services.
The organisation stressed that mismanagement of the fund could worsen Nigeria’s digital divide, limit access to education, healthcare information, and economic opportunities, and undermine fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information.
SERAP also raised concerns over accountability lapses, noting that the USPF allegedly failed to disclose a domiciliary account and denied the Auditor-General access to relevant financial records.
It added that the Auditor-General had requested explanations for the utilisation of funds, including approvals for reallocations to projects not originally captured in the 2020 budget.
The group gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to act on its recommendations, warning that it would initiate legal proceedings if there was no response.
“Ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of USPF funds is not only a matter of financial probity but also essential to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerians,” the leatter stated.
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