The Jigawa State Government said it has dismissed 22 vendors and companies participating in the ongoing Ramadan Iftar programme over alleged cheating, dishonesty regarding food quality and quantity, and questionable financial dealings.
The programme, targeting 7.9 million beneficiaries across 640 free meal centres in the state, was initiated by Governor Umar Namadi to provide relief and nutritious meals to vulnerable citizens during the 2026 Ramadan period.
In a statement on Friday, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, Auwalu Sankara, said the dismissals were attributed to gross misconduct, mismanagement of public funds, and poor handling of the programme.
It said that barely two weeks into the programme, a comprehensive supervisory report and field monitoring exercise reportedly uncovered serious misconduct by several vendors and companies following public complaints.
The development prompted the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties to take swift action, dismissing those suspected to be involved.
It listed the affected individuals and entities as: Haruna Ladan Inv. and Property, and Musa A. Jibrin (Jahun LGA); Nura Yahaya (Taura LGA); Usman Umar Malam, Muhammad Suleiman, Musa Salisu Kafin, and Dauda Yusuf (Kafin Hausa LGA); Lurwanu Alhassan (Birnin Kudu LGA); Ashiru Kamisu, Shuaibu Muhammad, Muhammad Abdullahi, and Jafaru Magaji (Sule Tankarkar LGA).
Others are Sulaiman Shuaibu, Badamasi Umar, Danbaba Nasallah, Fatima Abdulaziz and Ibrahim Sulaiman (Hadejia LGA); Yusuf Wada (Jahun); Haruna Yau and Aisha Garba (Malam Madori); Babannan Baffa (Guri); and Amina Abdullahi (Gwaram).
“These individuals and entities have been dismissed for gross misconduct, mismanagement of public funds, and poor handling of the programme,” Sankara said.
He said the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards actions that undermine the humanitarian vision of Governor Namadi’s administration, adding that, “our commitment to standards remains unwavering.”
It stressed that the government would not compromise on standards or allow any deviation from its policies, especially during the sacred month.
“We are already in the process of substituting these individuals with deserving contractors,” he added.
