Stakeholders in Nigeria’s grant ecosystem have called for calm and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing “grant saga,” while also submitting formal petitions to relevant security and oversight agencies.
Speaking during a peaceful engagement at the Nigeria Police Force Zone Seven Headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Ibrahim Mosses Igoche, the head of Advocacy for Grassroots Bridge Builders (GBB), a non-governmental organisation, urged members of the grant community to remain peaceful and engage constructively.
Explaining that efforts are on to address concerns around alleged irregularities in grant processes, Igoche said the meeting was convened to provide a lawful platform for stakeholders to air grievances and seek redress through dialogue.
He explained that the engagement brought together NGOs, cluster heads, and beneficiaries with a shared goal of promoting transparency, accountability, and national stability.
According to him, the group is also seeking an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, maintaining that dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving the dispute.
Mr. Igoche cautioned against any form of unrest, urging citizens to avoid taking laws into their own hands, while emphasizing the importance of patience as institutions review submitted complaints.
He confirmed that several key bodies, including the National Assembly, legal authorities, and a presidential standing committee, are already handling aspects of the matter.
He also noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Ministry of Defence, Office of the First Lady, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have acknowledged receipt of relevant submissions.
An elder statesman within the grant ecosystem, Dr. Bathelomeo Agbochenu, also assured stakeholders that ongoing interventions are aimed at restoring trust and providing relief to affected participants.
He revealed that a dedicated online platform would soon be launched to profile individuals impacted by the grant-related concerns.
Nationwide profiling
The legal adviser to GBB, Mr. Ibrahim Omaga, said the organisation has begun a nationwide profiling exercise for Nigerians involved in grant schemes, aimed at curbing fraud and rebuilding public confidence.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force has been formally notified and described it as a key institution in internal security coordination.
According to him, participants will be required to submit their details either online or physically in Abuja, while legal documents such as affidavits and powers of attorney will be processed to enable GBB to legally represent affected individuals in grant-related matters.
He further disclosed that the organisation has been given a 30-working-day timeline to compile and submit a comprehensive national database of those affected.
Reports indicate that the intervention is also aimed at preventing potential public unrest amid concerns over possible protests by aggrieved individuals within the ecosystem.
