President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has increased funding for Nigeria’s Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to N115 billion in the 2026 budget, marking a significant rise aimed at sustaining the reintegration of former militants in the Niger Delta.
The allocation, contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill approved by the National Assembly, represents a 76.9 percent increase from the N65 billion earmarked for the programme in both 2024 and 2025. Lawmakers retained the full amount without adjustment, signalling legislative backing for the increase.
What the Amnesty Programme Funding Covers
The Presidential Amnesty Programme, introduced in 2009 under former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was designed to address militancy in the Niger Delta through disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration.
Since its inception, the programme has received over N700 billion in funding, covering monthly stipends, vocational training, and educational scholarships for ex-militants. Budget records also show continued spending on items such as laptops for scholarship beneficiaries.
Why the Funding Increase Matters
The latest increase comes amid ongoing concerns about economic pressures and the need to maintain stability in Nigeria’s oil-producing region. At the height of militancy, crude oil production dropped to about 700,000 barrels per day, far below Nigeria’s OPEC quota at the time.
By reintegrating over 20,000 former militants, the programme has been credited with helping restore relative peace and boosting oil output in the Niger Delta.
Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability
Despite its impact, the programme has faced sustained criticism over alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency. Analysts and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the absence of detailed public spending breakdowns.
A 2021 report by the Stakeholder Democracy Network highlighted claims of “ghost beneficiaries” and alleged manipulation of the system by powerful actors.
Allegations of Fraud and Systemic Weaknesses
The report also pointed to systemic issues, including claims that non-existent or ineligible individuals were inserted into the payroll, allowing funds to be diverted.
A 2018 internal probe reportedly found that hundreds of scholarship beneficiaries could not be verified, raising further questions about oversight mechanisms within the programme.
Protests and Operational Challenges
In recent years, ex-militants have staged protests over unpaid stipends and alleged arbitrary removal from the programme. Some groups have also accused authorities of failing to comply with court orders on payments.
The programme, initially designed as a short-term intervention expected to end in 2014, has now remained in operation for over 16 years.
Government Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency, through spokesman Bayo Onanuga, had not issued an official response to inquiries regarding the funding increase.
While the new allocation underscores the government’s commitment to sustaining peace in the Niger Delta, it also renews calls for stronger accountability and reforms to ensure the programme delivers long-term economic benefits.
