The Ministry of Finance has not released the N4.9bn meal subsidy for 112 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide. Punch’s correspondent uncovered this information from sources within the Federal Civil Service and Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman’s letters to the Finance Minister, Wale Edun. Investigations revealed that the finance ministry did not disburse funds for November and December 2023 but did so for January 2024 onwards. It was discovered that each of the 112 FUCs receives a monthly payment of N2,478,056,400.
The former Permanent Secretary of the FME, Didi Walson-Jack, now the Head of Civil Service of the Federation-designate, wrote to her finance counterpart in February 2024 requesting the release of the subsidies for the two months. In her letter, Walson-Jack highlighted that the delay in releasing the subsidy was impacting the operational efficiency of the colleges.
“Approval and payment of the outstanding months of meal subsidy will ensure effective planning, management and execution of the meal subsidy programme in the colleges. It would also give the colleges the leverage to stock enough food items to guard against the incessant price inflation being experienced on a daily basis.
“It is imperative to note that the current challenges being encountered in the management of the meal subsidy in the Federal Unity Colleges are resultant effects of high and still rising cost of food items in the country and the worsening effect of the recurring late releases of the meal subsidy funds,” the former Permanent Secretary said in her letter.
Despite Walson-Jack’s letter, the finance ministry did not release the funds as requested, leading Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, to send a reminder letter himself. Mamman highlighted that the delay in releasing the funds had resulted in accumulating debts in the 112 unity schools. He mentioned that the non-release of the funds had a negative impact on the schools’ operations, affecting the conclusion of the previous term and the commencement of the new 2024 session. Adjustments in the academic calendar may be necessary once the payments for November and December 2023 meal subsidies are made.
“As you are aware, the prices of goods and services have been increasing incessantly on a daily basis and the funds earlier budgeted for the subsidy last year can no longer purchase the same quantity of items currently. Also, the worsening effect of the recurring late releases of the meal subsidy funds is a serious stress on delivery of services, as food vendors are unable to sustain steady supplies due to mounting unpaid debts.” He said in his letter.
Despite the letters written, workers familiar with the matter noted that the ministry had not yet released the funds. A senior civil servant in the FME, speaking anonymously, emphasized the need for clarity on the calculations from the Ministry of Finance, as the schools have incurred debts and are expressing concerns. The Director of Press at the Ministry of Finance, Muhammed Manga, did not respond to inquiries regarding the issue.
