Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven‑day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding an immediate investigation into the alleged disappearance or diversion of N26.9 billion from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), a dedicated pool intended to expand telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria’s underserved and rural communities. In a letter dated 9 May 2026 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the rights group called on President Tinubu to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the Secretary of the USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, to account for the whereabouts of the missing public funds. The organisation also urged the President to instruct the Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as well as competent anti‑corruption agencies, to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The grave financial allegations are rooted in the audited report of the Auditor‑General of the Federation for 2022, which was published on 9 September 2025. According to the audit, the USPF, which is administered by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has allegedly been plagued by multiple systemic failures. Among the specific infractions flagged by the Auditor‑General are the USPF’s refusal to disclose a domiciliary account and its denial of the Auditor‑General access to the fund’s books. The audit also alleges that the USPF failed to remit over N13.8 billion of its operating surplus for four consecutive years – between 2016 and 2019 – leading the Auditor‑General to warn that the money “may have been diverted”.
Furthermore, the audit notes a series of questionable expenditures. The USPF reportedly claimed to have spent over N11.7 million on an international training programme in October 2020, but it submitted no supporting documents, such as a letter of invitation, payment receipts, or certificates of participation. The Auditor‑General also highlighted the award of contracts worth more than N2.8 billion without the required approvals or procurement documentation. An additional N8 million was paid to a non‑existent fund manager, while an eye‑popping N6.4 billion was spent on projects that were not even captured in the fund’s approved 2020 budget.
The audit also uncovered that the USPF disbursed N2.8 billion between January and May 2021 without any accompanying documentation or explanation. A further N333 million in stamp duties was not remitted to the treasury as required by law, and over N144 million was not deducted as withholding tax. The Auditor‑General expressed fears that these funds may have been misappropriated.
SERAP argued that the alleged financial infractions are not merely technical accounting lapses but a direct assault on the rights of millions of Nigerians. The USPF, which is financed through contributions from telecom operators, is meant to bridge the digital divide by bringing voice and data services to remote and rural areas. SERAP warned that the systematic diversion of these monies could deny marginalised communities access to essential digital services and deepen existing socio‑economic disparities. In the letter, SERAP stated, “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.” The group added that poor access to reliable and affordable internet affects the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, education, and economic opportunities.
In its letter, SERAP stressed that the allegations, which include unaccounted expenditures, irregular contract awards, payments for services not rendered, and a failure to remit public funds, point to serious breaches of public trust. The group warned that any failure by the government to launch a credible probe would have far‑reaching consequences. “If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel compliance,” the letter read, setting a seven‑day deadline for action.
As of the time of this report, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the USPF, and the Attorney‑General’s office had not issued any official response to SERAP’s demands. However, the pressure is already mounting. The case has drawn immediate reactions from youth and civil society organisations, with some groups backing SERAP’s call for transparency and others questioning the organisation’s motives. A coalition of youth leaders, operating under the aegis of the Nigerian Youths in Politics and the Coalition of Patriotic Youth Leaders, has faulted SERAP for allegedly heating up the polity through its social media reactions. Dr. Duke Alamboye, the National Secretary of Nigerian Youths in Politics, cautioned that while the matter deserves attention, aggrieved parties should seek legal redress rather than engage in public posturing that might undermine the integrity of the courts.
The clock is now ticking for the Tinubu administration. With the ultimatum set for 16 May 2026, the government faces a stark choice: either it orders a comprehensive forensic audit into the USPF, or it prepares to defend itself in court over a scandal that could expose deep‑rooted governance failures. For the millions of Nigerians living in areas where telecom towers have yet to be built, the past history of the fund is already a story of missed connections; what remains to be determined is whether the failure is one of negligence or of outright pillage.
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