SERAP's N26.9bn Claim on USPF Called Misleading by Yaro

Abubakar Yaro, a public affairs analyst, responded to the claim made by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) regarding a missing N26.9 billion from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). Yaro stated that SERAP's allegations are misleading and lack critical context.

He disclosed that the average annual allocation to the USPF during the review period was N7.5 billion, raising questions about how an institution could suddenly lose N26.9 billion. Yaro also mentioned that the N13.8 billion referenced in the claim relates to operational surplus, which is reportedly managed directly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

He pointed out that the USPF does not retain funds, questioning SERAP's rush to make claims without proper explanation or context.