Aliyu Ahmed Under Fire: NCFRMI Staff Demand Removal Over Corruption, Diversion Of Relief Materials
This is not the first time the NCFRMI has faced allegations of aid diversion.
Staff of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) on Wednesday staged a protest at the commission’s headquarters, accusing Federal Commissioner Aliyu Ahmed of mismanaging funds meant for displaced persons and instead channelling them toward personal political interests in Nasarawa State.
Protesting staff, visibly frustrated in a video obtained by SaharaReporters, locked down the commission’s office, vowing not to return to work until their grievances are addressed by management.
“Enough is enough. We are here because we have seen a centralised fund that is used to fund political cronies in Nasarawa, while IDPs are suffering,” one protester declared.
He continued: “We are here to fight a leadership that does not know that we deserve to have modern equipment. We are fighting a leader who does not care if we don’t have office equipment, but rather goes and commissions a project in Nasarawa.”
The protesting workers also expressed frustration over alleged unfulfilled promises and a lack of basic working tools and welfare support for both staff and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country.
“He will promise you that during the festive season, it is your right to be taken care of, but he will end up telling you stories. He will not pick up calls, he will not answer messages.”
The staff members also accused him of running the humanitarian agency with unchecked impunity, corruption, and ethnic bias.
They demanded Ahmed’s immediate removal over what they described as entrenched corruption, neglect of staff welfare, diversion of relief materials, and favouritism towards his home state of Nasarawa.
Appointed in September 2023 by President Bola Tinubu following his nomination by Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed’s tenure as CEO has become increasingly controversial, with staff members now openly accusing him of reducing the Commission to a tool for personal and regional gain.
“Only Nasarawa matters to him,” a senior staff member said, speaking under the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
“Relief materials meant for Internally Displaced Persons across Nigeria are hoarded in warehouses until they expire or rot, while only Nasarawa State gets consistent and approved distributions. Other zones have sent in memos for urgent support, but they’re ignored.”
The official further alleged that seasonal bonuses and welfare funds released for staff, including during the recent Sallah and last Christmas celebrations, were never disbursed, even though the budget had reportedly been approved and the funds released.
“We all know the money was approved for festive welfare. Other government agencies got theirs, but not us,” the staffer continued.
“Not a single member of staff received a kobo. Travel allowances are owed dating back several months, even though those funds were also allocated. Where is all this money going?”
Another staff member, equally fearful of reprisal, described the working conditions within the Commission as “toxic and deliberately oppressive,” accusing the leadership of hoarding donor vehicles and relief items, while field officers are left without basic tools to serve displaced persons.
“Vehicles donated for zonal operations are parked and locked up in Abuja. Food and non-food items intended for displaced people are left to rot instead of being distributed,” the source said.
“We’re watching items expire in warehouses while thousands of Nigerians in need are going hungry. It’s not incompetence—it’s sabotage.”
This is not the first time the NCFRMI has faced allegations of aid diversion.
In 2023, a large consignment of relief materials meant for displaced persons was discovered hoarded inside classrooms at the Durumi IDP camp in Abuja.
The discovery prompted the Federal Government to initiate an investigation into the alleged diversion of aid meant for displaced individuals.
The recent protests, which started on Monday, have called for immediate reforms within the Commission, including improved staff welfare, transparent financial management, and accountability in the utilisation of funds.
The protesters have vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are met.
Staff members who spoke to SaharaReporters on Tuesday said the situation had only worsened under Ahmed’s watch. Zonal offices across the country have reportedly been deprived of supplies, even in emergencies. At the same time, Nasarawa State continues to receive priority shipments of food, non-perishable items, and operational support.
Insiders also raised questions about the handling of the ecological fund, alleging a total lack of transparency in how funds meant for intervention in climate-induced displacement are spent.
There are growing suspicions among employees that the fund, like others under the Commission’s purview, may have been misused or diverted for personal or political purposes.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to contact the agency’s management via the phone number listed on its official website were unsuccessful.
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