SERAP demands probe into alleged ₦26.9bn ‘missing’ from USPF

SERAP demands probe into alleged ₦26.9bn ‘missing’ from USPF  

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently probe the alleged  ₦26.9 billion said to be missing or diverted from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

The organisation specifically asked the President to direct Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Yomi Arowosafe, Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to give full account of the funds.

SERAP also urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly and effectively investigate the allegations.

The organisation based its call on the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation released on 9 September 2025.

“These allegations, which include unaccounted expenditures, failure to remit public funds, irregular contract awards, and payments for services not rendered, point to serious breaches of public trust and raise concerns about systemic failures in financial accountability within the USPF.”

According to the organisation, anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution and the missing or diverted public funds be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.

In a letter to the President dated 9 May 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the USPF is vital to expanding telecommunications access in underserved and rural communities, and any diversion of its funds directly undermines its mandate to bridge the digital divide, support infrastructure development, and promote inclusive connectivity.

According to SERAP,  failure to investigate the allegations and recover the funds would not only deprive Nigerians of essential services but also frustrate national development objectives and efforts to achieve digital inclusion.