A Federal High Court has ruled that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, must provide a detailed breakdown of the N729 billion spent on the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) from 2017 to 2023. This decision comes after a lawsuit filed by SERAP, a civil society organization, seeking transparency in the use of public funds.
The court’s ruling requires the minister to provide comprehensive information on:
- Beneficiaries and their locations
- Amounts spent on each program component
- Contracts and agreements
- List of vendors and suppliers
The minister has 30 days to comply with the ruling, which is seen as a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending. This development is welcomed by many Nigerians who have long called for greater transparency in the use of public funds.