The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into the alleged disappearance or diversion of ₦26.9 billion from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
In a letter dated May 9, 2026, SERAP urged the president to direct Bosun Tijani and Yomi Arowosafe, secretary of the USPF, to explain the whereabouts of the funds allegedly missing from the telecom intervention agency.
The organisation also called on Lateef Fagbemi and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
According to SERAP, the allegations were contained in the 2022 audited report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on September 9, 2025.
The group said the alleged financial irregularities threaten efforts to expand telecommunications access and digital inclusion, especially in underserved and rural communities across Nigeria.
SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, who signed the letter, said the alleged diversion of public funds undermines internet connectivity projects, infrastructure development and access to critical digital services.
The organisation alleged that the USPF failed to remit more than ₦13.8 billion in operating surplus between 2016 and 2019, raising fears from the Auditor-General that the funds “may have been diverted”.
SERAP also cited claims that over ₦11.7 million was spent on international training programmes during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 without supporting documents such as invitation letters, receipts or certificates of participation.
The letter further referenced alleged contract irregularities involving over ₦2.8 billion awarded without proper approval or procurement records.
Other allegations included an ₦8 million payment to a non-existing fund manager, over ₦6.4 billion reportedly spent on projects outside the approved 2020 budget, and more than ₦2.8 billion allegedly spent between January and May 2021 without documentation or explanation.
SERAP said the Auditor-General also queried failures to deduct and remit statutory taxes, including ₦333 million in stamp duties and over ₦144 million in withholding tax payments.
The organisation further alleged that more than ₦391 million was paid to consultants for projects without evidence that the work was carried out.
According to SERAP, failure to investigate and recover the funds could worsen inequality and deepen Nigeria’s digital divide, particularly for vulnerable groups relying on internet access for education, healthcare, business and civic participation.
The organisation gave the federal government seven days to act, warning that it may initiate legal action against the government, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the USPF if no action is taken.
SERAP argued that the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption conventions require the government to prevent corruption, recover stolen public funds and ensure accountability in the management of national resources.
