The silence from the Presidency is now drawing renewed scrutiny after the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project formally called on President Tinubu to order an immediate probe into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of funds meant to deepen digital access across underserved communities in Nigeria.
The USPF, originally domiciled under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was established to finance telecom infrastructure and bridge the digital divide in rural and unserved areas.
The Federal Government inaugurated the new board on March 27, 2026. In a letter dated May 9, 2026, SERAP urged the President to direct Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, alongside Yomi Arowosafe, USPF secretary to explain the whereabouts of the funds and submit to investigation by anti-corruption agencies.
But beyond SERAP’s petition lies a troubling timeline: the Auditor-General’s report had already been in the public domain for months before the latest public outcry, yet there has been no known presidential directive, public response, or announced investigation into the allegations.
According to details highlighted by SERAP from the Auditor-General’s report, the alleged infractions include failure by the USPF to remit over ₦13.8 billion in operating surplus between 2016 and 2019, questionable payments for international trainings during the COVID-19 lockdown, contracts worth over ₦2.8 billion allegedly awarded without approvals, and irregular consultancy and connectivity project payments.
The report also alleged that the USPF maintained an undisclosed domiciliary account and failed to grant the Auditor-General access to some financial records.
For stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital economy, the allegations cut deeper than financial misconduct.
Analysts warn that any diversion of USPF resources directly threatens national efforts toward broadband expansion, digital inclusion, rural connectivity, e-learning, telemedicine, and access to online economic opportunities.
SERAP argued that the consequences are especially severe for underserved communities that depend on public interventions for internet access and communications infrastructure.
The organisation said failure to act could worsen inequality and further exclude millions of Nigerians from participation in the digital economy.
The development comes at a time when the Federal Government continues to promote ambitious digital transformation policies and broadband penetration targets under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Observers say the prolonged silence surrounding the allegations risks undermining public confidence in government-led digital inclusion programmes, especially as telecom consumers continue to grapple with poor connectivity and infrastructure gaps in many rural areas.
SERAP has now given the Federal Government seven days to act or face possible legal action aimed at compelling investigation and recovery of the funds.
