The Federal Government is set to begin the long-awaited payment of outstanding stipends owed to N-Power beneficiaries, but those already drawing salaries from other government jobs have been excluded from the disbursement list. This major revelation was made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Nantawi Yelwatda, during a crucial closed-door meeting at the National Assembly on Monday, July 22, 2025.
Yelwatda disclosed that the Ministry’s ongoing verification process uncovered several cases of beneficiaries who are simultaneously on the government payroll, a situation that violates the core principles of the N-Power empowerment scheme. She clarified that while the government would not demand refunds of stipends already paid to such individuals, they would no longer be eligible for any future payments. Beneficiaries flagged for this infraction may also not receive any notifications when the upcoming batch of payments begins.
The announcement comes on the heels of a significant development in the N-Power saga, as aggrieved beneficiaries officially withdrew their lawsuit against the Federal Government following the high-level intervention by Senate leaders and ministry officials. The lawsuit, filed on July 14 by activist Dan Bello and legal counsel Abba Hikima, demanded the payment of over two years’ unpaid stipends, ₦5 billion in damages, and ₦50 million in legal fees.
However, after a lengthy engagement with Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Minister Yelwatda, and the Minister of State for Housing, the disgruntled beneficiaries opted for peaceful dialogue. The meeting, held within the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly, marked a turning point in the standoff between the government and thousands of frustrated former volunteers.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin acknowledged the legitimacy of the complaints, describing the backlog as an inherited challenge from the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He assured the attendees that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government is not only aware of the issues but is actively working to clear the arrears and restore faith in the scheme.
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He urged the affected beneficiaries to remain patient and committed to the ongoing process, stating that payment timelines have already been structured to ensure no one is left behind, except those ineligible due to dual employment.
The N-Power programme, once hailed as a flagship youth empowerment initiative, has faced turbulence in recent years, especially over unpaid stipends, poor communication, and administrative bottlenecks. The new development offers a glimmer of hope to thousands of young Nigerians who rely on the stipends for survival, while also signaling the government’s renewed effort to sanitize and restructure the programme for transparency and effectiveness.
As the federal government sets the stage for disbursement, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to deliver on its promises, ensure justice for all verified beneficiaries, and restore public confidence in one of Nigeria’s most impactful social intervention programmes.
