This announcement was made on Monday by Akindele Egbuwalo, the N-Power National Programme Manager, during a meeting held at his office in Abuja.
In an official statement released by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Egbuwalo clarified that the temporary suspension of the program had a specific objective: to comprehensively address issues directly impacting the beneficiaries.
He explained that during this temporary suspension, the program underwent a rigorous restructuring and a forensic audit, leading to the recovery of funds from the current payment service providers.
“Plans have been put in place by the programme to commence disbursement of the nine months outstanding stipends to beneficiaries from November 2023. Payments will be carried out in installment,” Egbuwalo stated.
He said the N-Power programme would be continued as the Renewed Hope Job Creation Programme under the supervision of the humanitarian minister.
According to Egbuwalo, the initiative is poised for significant growth to reach a total of five million beneficiaries over the next five years, which means that one million young individuals will be included in the program annually, both through the graduate and non-graduate pathways.
Sani Garba, hailing from Yobe State and a beneficiary of the program, was present during the meeting. He expressed that the primary concern among beneficiaries pertains to the delayed stipends, which, in some cases, have been pending for up to nine months.
He also mentioned that various clusters of N-Power beneficiaries had initially contemplated a national protest due to insufficient information and transparency regarding the program.
“Sir, as you have clearly explained the current situation of payment to us, myself and other cluster of beneficiaries represented here are assuring you that we have understood your position and taken your assurances, there is no need for any protest,” he stated.
