Creditors To FG: Pay N12bn Loans Given To Civil Servants

The Humanity Development and Empowerment Organisation (HDEO), commonly known as the Lenders Association, has urged the federal government to promptly remit N12 billion in loans deducted from civil servants’ payslips and salaries but not credited to lenders.

Speaking during a leadership handover ceremony in Abuja, the outgoing National President, Dr Osita Nebolisa, revealed that the loans, though deducted from workers’ payslips and salaries, remain unremitted. He tasked the newly elected executives, led by National President Mr Dele Apanisile, to prioritise resolving the matter with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

He said, “One of our most pressing challenges remains recovering over N12 billion in deducted but unremitted funds. I urge all members to support the EXCO in addressing this critical issue.

“The incoming leadership, consisting largely of experienced members from the current team, brings valuable continuity to this effort. To those few who may have reservations, I appeal for unified support of their strategies to retrieve these funds and prevent future losses through the IPPIS deduction system.”

From November 2022 to November 2024, Dr Osita Nebolisa, the founder of Visa Microfinance Bank Ltd, noted that over N6.2 billion in loans were provided to more than 2,400 federal civil servants.

He also highlighted signing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) in 2023, which established a framework for equitable access to credit while protecting stakeholders’ interests.

The new executives pledged to build on the achievements of the past administration.

The Lenders Association is a coalition of financial institutions, including commercial banks, microfinance banks, and finance companies, working collectively to promote equitable lending practices and economic inclusion for Nigeria’s workforce.