Ex-NSIPA Boss Denies Diverting ₦44bn, Calls for Release of Probe Findings

Former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has denied allegations that she diverted ₦44 billion, insisting that no public funds were traced to her or any member of her family during investigations.

Speaking during a television interview, Shehu said she uncovered financial irregularities shortly after assuming office and reported her concerns to the relevant authorities, including the then Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and anti-corruption agencies. According to her, several financial transactions were carried out without her approval or knowledge, prompting her to formally raise the alarm before she was suspended.

The former NSIPA boss maintained that she acted as a whistleblower rather than a participant in any wrongdoing. She claimed that instead of receiving protection for exposing the alleged irregularities, she was removed from office barely 10 weeks after escalating the matter.

Rejecting claims that she diverted ₦44 billion, Shehu said investigators never recovered any money from her personal accounts or those of her relatives. She explained that the transactions under scrutiny involved payments to licensed service providers and financial institutions responsible for disbursing government intervention funds to beneficiaries.

She further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to make the findings of investigations into the agency public, insisting that her reputation had been unfairly damaged. While acknowledging that administrative mistakes may have occurred, Shehu stressed that she never misappropriated funds meant for vulnerable Nigerians and remains committed to clearing her name.