Senate Moves to Relocate National Social Investment Programme Agency to Presidency

The Nigerian Senate has taken steps to amend the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act (NSIPA), 2023, with the aim of relocating the agency from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Presidency.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate, introduced the bill during the Tuesday plenary session, seeking to amend various sections of the NSIPA Act to effect this change. Specifically, the bill targets Sections 9(3), 14(1), 21(1), 22(1), 26(1), and 33 of the NSIPA Act, 2023, transferring oversight of the agency directly to the President.

Bamidele emphasized that the proposed amendment is driven by the desire to ensure that the National Social Investment Programme maintains high standards of transparency, effectiveness, and accountability. He also noted that this move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to these principles and aims to enhance coordination among government agencies.

This amendment aligns with Section 17(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which directs the state to work towards providing equal opportunities for all citizens to secure adequate means of livelihood and suitable employment.

Bamidele emphasized that this change can help address a wide range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, education, health, social inclusion, and empowerment, through the NSIPA.

During the debate, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan highlighted the need to ensure that the beneficiaries of social support programs are adequately identified and reached, particularly in rural areas. He stressed that the National Assembly must be actively involved in this process.

Senator Seriake Dickson called for a broader examination of issues related to the program’s implementation, including the selection of beneficiaries and the need for parliamentary approval for initiatives such as TraderMoni and COVID palliatives.

Following the discussion, the Senate President referred the bill to the committee of the whole for a thorough consideration, allowing senators to review it clause by clause. This move reflects the Senate’s commitment to making informed decisions about the amendment.

The NSIPA Act, enacted in May 2023, was designed to address socio-economic inequalities and alleviate poverty in Nigeria. It encompasses four key pillars: the N-POWER Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, and the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme. Each of these pillars aims to uplift the most vulnerable Nigerians and improve their standard of living across the nation.