May 11, (THEWILL) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Yomi Arowosafe, Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), to account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing or diverted ₦26.9 billion of public funds from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
In a letter dated May 9, 2026, SERAP urged the President to mandate Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alongside relevant anti-corruption agencies, to promptly investigate the allegations documented in the latest report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The organisation said any officials or individuals found culpable after investigation should face prosecution, while all diverted or missing funds should be recovered and returned to the treasury.
SERAP’s letter, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the allegations as a major threat to Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda and public trust in governance.
According to the civic organisation, the USPF remains a critical intervention agency established to expand telecommunications infrastructure and internet access in underserved and rural communities across Nigeria.
It argued that any diversion or mismanagement of resources meant for the agency directly weakens efforts to bridge the nation’s digital divide and improve access to information and communication technology services.
“The USPF is vital to expanding telecommunications access in underserved and rural communities, and any diversion of its funds directly undermines its mandate to bridge the digital divide, support infrastructure development, and promote inclusive connectivity,” SERAP stated.
The organisation warned that the allegations contained in the Auditor-General’s report point to serious financial accountability lapses within the management of the fund.
According to SERAP, the allegations include unaccounted expenditures, failure to remit public funds, irregular contract awards and payments allegedly made for services not rendered.
The organisation maintained that failure by authorities to investigate and recover the funds would not only deprive millions of Nigerians of essential digital services but also frustrate national development objectives linked to technology-driven growth and inclusion.
SERAP further stressed that poor internet access directly affects the exercise of several fundamental rights, including access to information, education, freedom of expression and participation in civic affairs.
“It also plays a crucial role in the enjoyment of economic and social rights, including access to livelihood opportunities, healthcare information, financial services, and education—especially in an increasingly digital economy,” the organisation added.
The rights group warned that vulnerable and marginalised communities stand to suffer the most if public funds intended for connectivity projects are diverted or mismanaged.
According to SERAP, millions of Nigerians without reliable internet access risk exclusion from economic opportunities, civic participation and essential public services, thereby worsening existing socio-economic inequalities.
The organisation therefore described transparency and accountability in the management of USPF resources as both a governance and human rights imperative.
SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to take action on its recommendations, warning that it could initiate legal proceedings against the government, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the USPF in the public interest should there be no satisfactory response.
The allegations cited by SERAP were drawn from the 2022 audited report released by the Auditor-General of the Federation and published on September 9, 2025.
According to the report, the USPF allegedly failed to disclose the existence of a domiciliary dollar account and denied auditors access to financial records linked to the account.
The Auditor-General also reportedly accused the agency of failing to remit over ₦13.8 billion described as annual operating surplus accumulated between 2016 and 2019, expressing fears that the money may have been diverted.
Another allegation involved over ₦11.7 million reportedly spent on international trainings during the COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020 without supporting documentation such as invitation letters, invoices or certificates of participation.
SERAP noted that restrictions on international travel were still in force during the period under review, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the expenditures.
The report also alleged that contracts worth more than ₦2.8 billion were awarded without approvals or evidence of compliance with procurement procedures.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General requested that the USPF provide contract files, approvals and details of procurement processes relating to the contracts.
Further allegations included the payment of ₦8 million to a purported fund manager despite records allegedly showing that no such fund manager existed at the time of payment.
The Auditor-General also reportedly identified inconsistencies in contract documentation, including an agreement allegedly signed before the official contract award date.
SERAP additionally referenced alleged irregular spending exceeding ₦6.4 billion on connectivity and access projects not included in the agency’s approved 2020 budget.
The Auditor-General reportedly demanded evidence of approved virement from the National Assembly authorising the expenditure.
The report also accused the agency of spending more than ₦2.8 billion between January and May 2021 without documentation or explanation regarding the purpose of the transactions.
Other allegations involved the failure to collect and remit over ₦333 million in stamp duties from contractors, as well as failure to deduct more than ₦144 million in withholding taxes from consultancy payments.
The Auditor-General reportedly warned that the lapses may have led to significant revenue losses to the government.
SERAP also cited allegations that over ₦391 million was paid to consultants for projects allegedly executed without evidence of work done, including cases involving malfunctioning equipment and unresolved internet connectivity problems.
The organisation anchored its demands on Sections 13, 15 and 16 of the 1999 Constitution, which require government to combat corruption, promote accountability and ensure that national resources are managed for the welfare of citizens.
SERAP further referenced Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, both of which mandate state parties to investigate corruption allegations and impose effective sanctions where necessary.
The organisation maintained that holding those responsible accountable would strengthen public confidence in governance and help safeguard the digital future of millions of Nigerians dependent on improved telecommunications access and infrastructure.
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