Auditor-General questions N33.75bn in unverified cash transfers
The Auditor-General for the Federation has raised concerns over N33.75bn in cash transfers that could not be verified as reaching intended beneficiaries. The audit flagged multiple weaknesses in the National Cash Transfer Office’s internal controls, including missing documentation and lack of transparency. Bola Tinubu’s administration and other officials have faced scrutiny over the handling of social intervention funds. The report recommends recovery of unaccounted funds and stricter oversight of future disbursements.
What we know
- The audit found that N33.75bn was transferred electronically to over 3.29 million households, but supporting documents and beneficiary details were missing.
- Attempts by auditors to obtain payment records were obstructed by National Cash Transfer Office staff.
- Additional queries included N36.74bn in payments made without prepayment audit and N4.62bn in expenditures lacking supporting vouchers.
- The report also flagged N350.18m in unsubstantiated funds to state coordinators and N393.71m in unused enrolment funds with no evidence of return to the Treasury.
- The Auditor-General recommended that all unaccounted funds be recovered and called for improved transparency and accountability in future programmes.
