The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into allegations that about ₦2.9 billion may have been diverted or disappeared from the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).

SERAP requested in a letter dated April 11, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. The group said the allegations were flagged in the latest report of the Auditor-General of the Federation and called on the President to ensure accountability in the two agencies.

According to SERAP, Tinubu should direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, as well as the management of NIGCOMSAT and the NNRA, to explain what happened to the funds.

SERAP also urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the claims and prosecute anyone found culpable. The group said any missing or diverted public money should be recovered and returned to the treasury.

The organisation said the concerns were contained in the Auditor-General’s annual report published on September 9, 2025. SERAP warned that the allegations point to financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency, stressing that the affected institutions play critical roles in Nigeria’s digital economy and national safety systems.

“A strategic failure in these agencies does not only waste public resources—it also threatens national development, technological progress and public safety,” SERAP said.

One of the specific claims SERAP highlighted involves an alleged ₦465 million “unauthorised investment” by NIGCOMSAT in Gicell Wireless Ltd. SERAP said the Auditor-General reported that NIGCOMSAT purchased 200,000 shares in the company without approval from the Minister of Science and Technology and the Accountant-General of the Federation. The group further alleged that the investment may have lacked proper documentation and due process, and that there was no evidence that an expert investment analyst carried out an appraisal.

SERAP said the government should compel NIGCOMSAT to disclose the shareholders and beneficial owners of Gicell Wireless Ltd.

SERAP also raised concerns over transactions involving the NNRA. It said the Auditor-General reported that the agency paid more than ₦4.35 million for training programmes without proof that the training actually took place. The group said the agency failed to provide items such as participant lists, attendance records, certificates, venue details, and completion reports.

SERAP added that the NNRA was also said to have paid more than ₦16 million for ICT equipment without the required approval, raising fears that the equipment may not have been supplied.

Legal action threat

SERAP said Tinubu should respond within seven days of receiving the letter. The group warned that if it does not hear back within that time, it would consider legal action to compel the government, NIGCOMSAT, and NNRA to comply with SERAP’s request.

SERAP said ignoring the allegations could weaken Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and further damage public trust in government institutions.