NCAPT says 26.9 bn cannot be missing from the 7.5 bn allocation, faults SERAP over USPF

A governance advocacy group, the Northern Coalition for Accountability and Public Trust (NCAPT), has criticized claims made by the Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that ₦26.9 billion is missing from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

SERAP recently urged President Bola Tinubu to order an urgent investigation into the alleged disappearance or diversion of ₦26.9 billion from the USPF. The group asked the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and the USPF Secretary, Yomi Arowosafe, to “account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing or diverted ₦26.9 billion of public funds from the USPF.”

Additionally, the Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability has pledged to mobilize Nigerians for a mass protest if the minister and the USPF secretary fail to explain the alleged missing funds.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ambassador Abubakar Yusuf Yaro, on Wednesday, NCAPT disputed SERAP’s allegations, calling the claim exaggerated and lacking essential context.

Based on available records, NCAPT said the allegation is misleading. “NCAPT critically observed that data available from the investigation shows the average annual allocation to the USPF within the period under review was about ₦7.5 billion. Simple arithmetic, therefore, raises a legitimate question: how does an institution with an average yearly funding of ₦7.5 billion suddenly ‘lose’ ₦26.9 billion?”

“Even more revealing is the fact that over ₦13.8 billion of the amount being referenced relates to operating surplus deductions reportedly handled directly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before funds are transferred to the USPF. According to the records reviewed, the USPF does not receive or retain those funds in the first place,” the statement added.

NCAPT further stressed that procurement processes cited in the allegations passed through established approval channels, including the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and relevant tenders boards. “Payments reportedly followed certification procedures supported by documentation, reports, and project evidence,” it said.

Accusing SERAP of conducting a media trial, NCAPT noted that previous audit exercises and reviews carried out by the House of Representatives Ad‑hoc Committee reportedly found no irregularities in the operations of the USPF during the same period under review.

“This raises serious concerns about the motive behind the latest attempt to create the impression of large‑scale fraud without allowing constitutional oversight institutions to complete their work,” the statement said. It added that SERAP, an organization that consistently advocates fairness, transparency, and accountability, should understand that audit observations are not final proof of corruption. “They are queries meant for clarification through established institutional processes,” NCAPT explained.

The statement further added: “Unfortunately, what Nigerians witnessed in this case appears closer to a public conviction campaign than a genuine search for accountability.”

“Responsible civic engagement demands balance, verification, and fairness. Any organization genuinely committed to public interest should first seek clarification from all parties before publishing conclusions capable of damaging institutional credibility and misleading citizens,” it continued.

NCAPT urged the National Assembly and relevant oversight bodies to independently review all documents, invite all concerned parties, and allow due process to prevail without external pressure.