Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has ordered an investigation into the alleged N.2.67Bn fraud linked to the school feeding programme of Federal Government colleges across the country.

Recall that on September 28, 2020, Bolaji Owasanoye, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), revealed that 2.67Bn which was paid to some Federal Colleges for school feeding during the COVID-19 lockdown ended in some private bank accounts.

Adamu, in a statement signed by Ben Goong, his director of press and public relations, said he had ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

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The Minister stated that queries have been issued to principals on the allegation to determine if public funds were diverted.

Adamu noted that the investigation is to establish the veracity of the claims to ensure that there is no diversion of public funds or misappropriation of same.

The statement reads; “Following the report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) that the sum of N2.67 billion released to the 104 Unity Colleges during the COVID-19 lockdown for meal subsidies found its way into individual accounts, Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

“In response to queries issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Principals explained that payments on meal subsidies to Unity Colleges on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, (GIFMIS) platform is designed to accommodate individual officers of those colleges who are officially recognised to receive such payments and disburse same to food vendors.

“The Principals also explained that payments made during the lockdown period had to do with debts owed food vendors even before COVID 19, some of which are still pending, adding that these debts arose from irregular and inadequate budgetary allocations and releases over the years.

“To this end, the Ministry in line with the Minister’s directive is to collaborate effectively with officials of the ICPC to unearth the facts as well as find a lasting solution to the payment system for meal subsidies that will ensure accountability and transparency.”

Eons Intelligence, on September 29, 2020, reported that Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, denied allegations that her Ministry is linked N2.67bn school feeding fraud uncovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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