For thousands of young Nigerians enrolled in the Federal Government’s N-Power programme, what began as a lifeline has become a struggle for survival, as complaints over prolonged unpaid stipends continue to mount.
Across major cities and rural communities, from Abuja to Kano and Port Harcourt, beneficiaries say they have been left stranded, battling months of unpaid allowances despite repeated appeals to authorities. Many claim their concerns have received little or no official response.
N-Power, a key component of the Federal Government’s social investment initiatives, was introduced to provide employment and skill development opportunities for unemployed graduates and non-graduates. Participants were promised modest monthly stipends intended to support basic living expenses in a challenging economic environment.
However, many beneficiaries now say that promise has not been fulfilled.
“We worked and met our obligations, but it feels like we have been forgotten,” one participant said.
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Since the transition to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, affected individuals allege that efforts to seek redress through protests, petitions, and social media campaigns have yielded limited results. For some, unpaid stipends have accumulated for several months, with reports suggesting delays stretching close to a year in certain cases.
The impact has been severe. Beneficiaries report mounting debts, eviction threats due to unpaid rent, inability to meet family needs, and growing emotional strain. In a period marked by rising inflation and increased cost of living, the situation has worsened their vulnerability.
“I rely on this stipend to support my family. When the payments stopped, everything was affected,” another beneficiary said.
Nigeria’s broader economic pressures, including high fuel costs and declining purchasing power, have compounded the crisis. For many participants who depend solely on the programme, the delay in payments has disrupted livelihoods and deepened hardship.
Civil society organisations warn that the situation could undermine confidence in government-led intervention programmes aimed at tackling unemployment and poverty. Analysts argue that failure to meet obligations risks weakening public trust and discouraging participation in future initiatives.
“When confidence in social programmes declines, the implications extend beyond economics to social stability,” an observer noted.
Despite growing concerns, there has been no detailed public explanation addressing the backlog of unpaid stipends. Beneficiaries insist they are not seeking charity, but the fulfilment of commitments already made to them.
“We are asking for what we have earned,” one participant said.
As economic challenges persist across the country, the plight of N-Power beneficiaries reflects a wider struggle faced by many Nigerians. Their situation highlights the urgent need for responsive policies and timely implementation of social support programmes.
For now, their voices continue to rise, even as many fear they remain unheard.
