Nigeria Allocates N65 Billion for Ex-Militant Reintegration Amid Financial Mismanagement Concerns
Nigeria’s 2025 proposed budget reveals an allocation of N65 billion for the reintegration and transformation of ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP). Despite this hefty budget, the program’s official website is currently non-functional, raising questions about the program’s transparency and accountability.
The website, www.osapnd.gov.ng, displays a message saying, “There has been a critical error on this website,” making it impossible to access any information on the program’s activities or expenditure.
Earlier reports by SaharaReporters highlighted serious financial discrepancies within the program. A report by the Auditor-General of the Federation revealed a shocking withdrawal of over N6 billion without proper auditing processes. Among the findings, the report highlighted the payment of N1.53 billion in tuition fees for students under the program, but no records of their identities were provided. This lack of documentation represents a clear violation of financial regulations, specifically Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations, 2009, which prohibits payments for services not yet performed or goods not yet supplied.
The report also uncovered N3.62 billion raised without internal audit checks, and N1.3 billion paid and recorded in the cash book without the necessary paid vouchers. The failure to adhere to financial regulations has led to concerns over the mismanagement of public funds and unapproved payments.
There have long been concerns about the oversight of funds under the Presidential Amnesty Program. In 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the coordinator of the program, Charles Dokubo, over alleged corruption. These ongoing issues have intensified calls for greater accountability and transparency in the management of the PAP.
With a significant N65 billion allocated for 2025, many Nigerians are questioning whether the reintegration program will deliver on its promises or whether financial mismanagement will continue to undermine its effectiveness.
