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NSIP: FG Trains 3,000 Independent Monitors
The Federal Government has commenced the training of 3,000 Stream 2 Independent Monitors (IMs) of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, HajiyaSadiya Umar Farouq, during the inauguration, yesterday in Abuja, said the training has become necessary to sustain the gains of the programme.
Farouq explained that the IMs were responsible for monitoring the programme in their communities and schools, households and market clusters with the focus of ensuring that the primary objectives of the NSIPs are achieved.
The minister recalled that she inaugurated the training and onboarding of Stream 1 IMs on February 4, 2021, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and 36 states of the federation.
“This process led to the engagement of 4,452 Stream 1 IMs enrolled as monitors of NSIP. They were trained and onboarded by officials of the ministry working in collaboration with State Focal Persons and NSIP officials.
“Additionally, they were provided working tools in the form of Tablets to carry out their monitoring activities on the field. The Stream 1 IMs were engaged from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022.
“It is worthy to note that monitors are one of the most important components of the NSIP and the ministry lays special emphasis on ensuring its programmes are closely monitored.
“Through the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS) application, our Stream 1 monitors have uploaded over 220,000 reports to date on the application giving us good visibility into the programme at the communities.
“Today’s programme marks the beginning of the national training and onboarding of additional 3,000 men and women that will serve as Stream 2 monitors,” Farouq said.
According.to her, the incoming Stream 2 IMs are expected to continue using the same platform to report their activities from the field.
Farouq stressed that they would be given the prerequisite training, and receive engagement letters and tablets as working tools for monitoring the programme.
She noted that monitoring at the state level requires that the IMs work hand-in-hand with the state NSIP’s team, as their work cannot be done in a vacuum.
“They are also required to work closely with the beneficiaries. No intimidation of beneficiaries by an IM will be accepted by the ministry.
“Any Independent Monitor found intimidating or harassing a beneficiary will be taken off the programme.
“Be informed that we have officials of the EFCC and DSS working with us on this programme, and those found culpable will be handed over to relevant authorities.
“We are also working with Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society groups that will support you in your monitoring assignment,” Farouq said.
Farouq was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, AlhajiNasirSani-Gwarzo.
Speaking, the National Coordinator of NSIP, Dr Umar Bindir, said the programme is the major instrument of Buhari’s administration to alleviate poverty in the country.
Bindir stressed that the NSIP has been institutionalised to the point that it would not go down the drains like other poverty alleviation programmes of previous administrations.
“The monitoring is necessary to evaluate and restrategise to ensure that the beneficiaries are doing well and the programmes’ objectives are achieved.
“The IMs would monitor all segments of the NSIP (N-Power, GEEP, CCT and NHGSFP) in their localities and would be paid a stipend of N30,000 monthly,” Bindir said.
Meanwhile, the Team Lead of the programme, Dr FatiyaMusah, during her presentation on Monitoring and Evaluation, said the essence of the monitoring was to ensure visibility in all the 36 states including FCT.
“We have three levels of monitoring; Federal, State and Local Government Level. We also do routine quarterly field visit. We hope to do it before school closes for this term.”
The inauguration attracted NSIP Focal Persons from Osun, Rivers, Katsina and Nasarawastates.
Others are officials from the National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant stakeholders.
Highpoints of the event were the symbolic presentation of letters of engagement to the trainees.
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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