The House of Representatives Committee on NG-CARES has commenced an investigation into the ₦1.06 trillion ($696 million) Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, following growing concerns over the lack of visible impact on intended beneficiaries.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abubakar Kusada, made the announcement on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja. He noted that although the Federal Government had fully funded the initiative and provided operational guidelines, many Nigerians—especially vulnerable groups—are yet to feel its effects.
“A total of $696 million or ₦1.06 trillion has been disbursed through various delivery platforms across all 36 states and the FCT,” Kusada said. “Yet, the people the programme is meant to support are still grappling with hardship. The disconnect between funding and real-world impact raises serious concerns.”
Citing Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, Kusada said the committee had resolved to launch a full-scale investigation to uncover how the funds were spent, and whether the programme achieved its stated goals.
Key questions the probe seeks to answer include:
- Were the funds misappropriated, diverted, or embezzled?
- Did the spending deliver value for money, or were contracts inflated?
- Was the procurement process transparent and compliant with due process?
- Were funds fairly distributed among states, or were there discrepancies in allocations?
Kusada expressed particular concern over states claiming large amounts for social transfers and agricultural inputs, questioning the authenticity of the beneficiary lists and the actual impact on food security and market conditions.
“If fake names were used to claim social transfers, we’ll expose that. If states mismanaged or diverted the funds, they must be held accountable and compelled to redirect resources appropriately,” he stated.
He emphasized that the committee will verify all state-level claims regarding projects such as wet market upgrades, agricultural infrastructure, and input distribution. Where discrepancies are found, Kusada said the House will not hesitate to “name and shame” states involved in malpractice.
“If procurement rules were flouted, agencies like the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and anti-corruption bodies must step in. The Nigerian people deserve to know how their resources were used—and who should be held responsible for any failures,” he concluded.
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