Billions Spent, Poverty Rising: The Troubled Story of KWASSIP — A Rejoinder

For about a year now, the operations of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) have been grounded, following what sources attribute to the state government’s temporary suspension of funding to the agency. This development, it was gathered, may not be unconnected with accusations from some quarters over mismanagement of the agency by its current Acting Director-General, Dr. Wasiu Tejidini. Although the details of the government’s suspension of funding to KWASSIP were not made public, the decision reportedly came after growing public scrutiny of the agency’s funds utilisation, transparency and performance.

Observers will recall that between October and December last year, several Kwarans, including opposition figures and civil society actors, raised concerns over the management of funds allocated for KWASSIP. Concerns about transparency, accountability, lack of due process and the alleged politicisation of its operations dominated public discourse. It was probably in response to these concerns that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq reportedly set up an internal committee to supervise the agency’s activities, particularly in relation to the disbursement of funds. However, after a brief period, KWASSIP quietly went silent as its operations came to an abrupt halt.

The idea behind KWASSIP’s creation was laudable. Established to cushion the effects of poverty and empower vulnerable groups, it was envisioned as Kwara’s answer to social inequality. Sadly, that vision seems to have been derailed by poor leadership and weak accountability structures. The agency’s operational trajectory in recent time suggests a drift from its founding ideals. Under Dr. Tejidini’s stewardship, the agency has been dogged by questions of inefficiency, opacity, and political interference. It is concerning that the DG could not give an account of funds entrusted to the agency he leads.

I remember when he was asked on a radio programme about funds allocated to KWASSIP under him, Dr. Tejidini shockingly and shamelessly said the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, was in a better position to respond. Many wondered what the CPS has to do with KWASSIP’s financial management. That embarrassing response not only exposed Dr. Tejidini’s incompetence but also revealed a glaring lack of leadership, transparency and accountability within KWASSIP. Additionally, it was worrying to see the DG turn the agency premises into the secretariat of the ruling APC where defectors are received, raising concerns that the agency’s funds were being used to induce opposition members to joining the APC. The actions of the DG have put KWASSIP’s credibility at stake and also eroded public confidence in the institution.

Against this background, I find it bemusing the call by one Comrade Lanrey Osho for Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to revive KWASSIP and resume funding to the agency within three weeks. While such calls may appear well-intentioned, given the importance of social protection in alleviating poverty and supporting vulnerable households, there are deeper issues that must be addressed before any meaningful revival can take place. The real issue is not merely reviving KWASSIP, but understanding why the agency grounded to a halt in the first place and what became of the billions of naira allocated to it since inception and particularly since the appointment of its current DG.

Therefore, before we can begin to talk about resumption of funding to KWASSIP, we must first demand a thorough audit of its finances. How much has the government injected into the agency since its establishment? How were these funds spent? Who benefited, and to what extent have they achieved the agency’s stated goals? These are the questions that must be addressed before asking for more money to be released to the agency.

Kwarans are also concerned that despite the billions of naira that have been channelled into KWASSIP, poverty in the state has worsened, rising from 11.7% in 2018 to a staggering 42.5% in 2024. This raises questions about the impact and integrity of the programme. This is a damning indictment of failure that cannot be fixed by simply throwing more money at the problem.

Reviving KWASSIP, therefore, cannot simply mean releasing funds for business as usual. It must begin with a full audit of its financial records, and those found guilty of mismanaging public funds must be held responsible. Only through transparency and accountability can public confidence be restored. Equally important is the need for leadership reform within the agency. A director-general who cannot clearly account for funds under his stewardship, or who deflects responsibility to other political appointees, does not inspire the confidence needed to drive a results-oriented social investment programme.

There is a need to ensure that government agencies like KWASSIP are insulated from partisan politics, and are led by individuals with proven integrity and competence. Only then can it truly serve its intended purpose of alleviating poverty and empowering the people of Kwara. Reviving the agency without reforming its structure and cleansing its management will only amount to repackaging failure at the expense of taxpayers’ funds.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq deserves commendation for establishing KWASSIP, but the time has come for a policy reset, one anchored on transparency, accountability, professionalism, and measurable outcomes. The goal should not merely be to resume funding to the agency, but to rebuild an institution capable of delivering real social impact to the people of Kwara State.