Buhari Writes Senate, Seeks Law Backing Social Investment Programmes

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the national assembly to pass a law backing his administration’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

NSIP was created in 2015 to ensure the equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable populations, including children, youth, and women.

N-Power — a temporary job platform — and Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) are some of the programmes under NSIP. The federal government claims that thousands of Nigerians have benefitted from these programmes.

Buhari’s request to institutionalise NSIP was contained in a letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan on the floor of the red chamber on Tuesday.

The president said a law for NSIP would ensure that the social programmes are implemented effectively.

“The National Social Investment Programme establishment bill seeks to provide a legal and institutional framework for the establishment of the NSIP for the assistance and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable people in Nigeria,” Buhari said.

In a separate letter, the president asked the national assembly to concur with an executive order creating 10 new national parks.

Buhari also asked both chambers of the national assembly to pass the National Library Establishment Bill 2022.

The president said the law would ensure proper management of the national library in line with best global practices.