Tinubu's Government Budgets N65 Billion for Ex-Militants' Reintegration

By Achimi Muktar

In a move raising eyebrows across Nigeria, the federal government under President Bola Tinubu has earmarked a staggering N65 billion for the reintegration of ex-militants in the 2025 budget. This expenditure is part of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), yet questions about transparency and accountability continue to loom large over its administration.

Broken Promises, Broken Systems

While the budget allocation underscores the government’s commitment to rehabilitating former militants, glaring operational issues cast doubt on the program’s integrity. For starters, the official PAP website, www.osapnd.gov.ng, remains non-functional, displaying an error message. This inaccessibility raises concerns about the program’s transparency and accessibility to the public.

A History of Mismanagement

The Presidential Amnesty Programme has long been dogged by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. A prior report by the Auditor-General of the Federation unveiled disturbing financial irregularities within the scheme, including the unaccounted withdrawal of over N6 billion.

Among the findings were:

Tuition Fees Without Identity Records: N1.53 billion was paid to universities for students purportedly under the PAP without sufficient documentation to verify their identities.

Unauthorized Payments: N3.62 billion was issued without internal audit checks, violating established financial regulations.

Unvouched Cashbook Entries: Payments totaling N1.3 billion were recorded without corresponding vouchers.

These breaches blatantly contravene Paragraph 708 and Paragraph 603(i) of the Financial Regulations, 2009, which mandate thorough documentation and audit checks for all expenditures.

Legacy of Scandals

The program’s tainted history is not new. In 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Charles Dokubo, the PAP coordinator, over allegations of corruption. These lingering issues continue to fuel public skepticism about whether the amnesty funds are genuinely being used for their intended purpose or are siphoned off by unscrupulous officials.

A Call for Accountability

Despite the lofty goals of the PAP, critics argue that a program meant to foster peace and stability in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region has been undermined by weak governance and poor oversight. Advocacy groups and citizens alike are calling for:

Operational Transparency: The PAP website must be restored and regularly updated to reflect program activities and spending.

Rigorous Auditing: Independent audits should be conducted to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Strict Oversight: Authorities must prosecute individuals implicated in mismanaging public funds.

Hope or Hype?

The N65 billion allocation presents a dual narrative: a government striving to honor its commitment to peace and reintegration, and a troubled program plagued by inefficiency and mistrust. Whether this budget marks a turning point or perpetuates a cycle of mismanagement remains to be seen.

As Nigerians watch closely, one thing is clear: the success or failure of the Presidential Amnesty Programme could serve as a litmus test for President Tinubu’s administration and its commitment to transparency and good governance.