SERAP Urges Tinubu to Order Probe Into Alleged N26.9bn Telecoms Fund Fraud

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into the alleged disappearance or diversion of N26.9 billion from the Universal Service Provision Fund.

The group specifically requested the President to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and the Secretary of the USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, to explain the whereabouts of the funds. SERAP also asked Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.

The allegations are contained in the 2022 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025. SERAP stated that the alleged financial irregularities represent a serious breach of public trust and threaten efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.

The organisation warned that failure to investigate and recover the funds would deny millions of Nigerians access to essential digital services and frustrate national development goals. SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its demands or face possible legal action.

Among the alleged irregularities highlighted by the Auditor-General are the USPF’s failure to disclose a domiciliary account and refusal to grant access to its books, as well as failure to remit over N13.8 billion in operating surplus between 2016 and 2019.

Other allegations include the award of contracts worth over N2.8 billion without approval, payment of N8 million to a non-existent fund manager, spending of N6.4 billion on projects not captured in the approved 2020 budget, and payment of N391 million to consultants without evidence of work done.

SERAP based its demands on constitutional provisions requiring the government to abolish corrupt practices and on Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.