FG Approves New Plan to Pay N-Power Beneficiaries After Long Delay

In a recent update that brings relief to thousands of Nigerian youths under the N-Power scheme, the Federal Government has confirmed steps are being taken to address the long-standing backlog of unpaid stipends owed to beneficiaries for the years 2022 and 2023. This development follows increasing public concern and legal moves initiated by affected participants across the country.

FG Confirms ₦81 Billion in Outstanding Stipends

The total outstanding payments owed to N-Power beneficiaries currently stand at over ₦81 billion. These allowances were supposed to be disbursed to volunteers under different N-Power categories, but delays in funding and budgetary allocations caused a significant backlog.

Senate’s Strategic Intervention Sparks Progress

In response to growing frustrations from the affected individuals, the Senate — under the leadership of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin — facilitated a critical mediation session between the Federal Government, the representatives of N-Power beneficiaries, and their legal team. This meeting was instrumental in shifting the conversation from protest to practical resolution.

Legal Action Temporarily Put on Hold

Following the assurances provided during the Senate-brokered dialogue, N-Power beneficiaries, through their legal counsel Abba Hikima, decided to suspend planned legal action against the government. The suspension was based on commitments from federal authorities to clear the outstanding payments within a structured timeframe.

Budgetary Constraints Delayed Earlier Payments

While the arrears had been acknowledged in previous federal budgets, funding for the actual disbursement was either delayed or not implemented. Additionally, there were no specific allocations in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets directly earmarked for settling the backlog, which further stalled the process.

Government Secures Alternative Approval for Payment

To overcome these delays, the Federal Government reportedly obtained approval via a service-wide vote mechanism toward the end of 2024. This method allows for special financial disbursements outside of the standard budget. Officials have indicated that payments will commence once the 2025 budget becomes fully operational.

Humanitarian Minister Assures Full Resolution

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has publicly pledged that all outstanding N-Power stipends will be resolved before the close of 2025. His statement reassured both current and former beneficiaries that the government remains committed to the welfare of youth empowerment participants.

Beneficiaries Express Appreciation

Leaders within the N-Power community expressed gratitude to the Senate and the ministries involved for stepping in at a critical time. The willingness of the government to engage with stakeholders and establish a defined payment pathway is seen as a turning point in restoring trust in the programme.

Summary Table of Key Updates

Key Issue	Details
Amount Owed	₦81 billion
Years Covered	2022 and 2023
Budget Status	Not funded in 2024 and 2025 budgets
Alternative Funding	Approved through service-wide vote in late 2024
Expected Payment Timeline	After full implementation of the 2025 budget
Senate Role	Deputy Senate President mediated resolution meeting
Legal Action Status	Suspended based on government assurances
Minister’s Promise	Full payment to be made before end of 2025

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Final Thoughts

The recent update on the N-Power payment backlog signals renewed government responsiveness to social welfare obligations. While the delay in stipend disbursement has caused genuine hardship for many beneficiaries, the current efforts by the Senate and relevant ministries indicate that resolution is now in sight. Beneficiaries and the general public are hopeful that the outlined payment plan will be followed through without further postponement.

Source: https://allmedia24.com/