The Jigawa State Government has disengaged 22 contractors participating in its Ramadan Iftar feeding programme over alleged misconduct, including the supply of substandard meals, reduced food portions and suspected financial improprieties.
The government said the action was taken to protect the integrity of the initiative and ensure effective implementation of the scheme designed to provide free meals for vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan.
The feeding programme, launched by the state government, is expected to serve about 7.9 million beneficiaries through 640 designated feeding centres across the state during the 2026 Ramadan period.
However, reports from monitoring teams, supervisory inspections and complaints from residents reportedly uncovered several cases of irregularities involving some vendors less than two weeks after the programme began.
Following the findings, the state Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties initiated disciplinary measures against the affected contractors.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, Sankara, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse on Friday.
According to him, the contractors were removed from the programme over alleged gross misconduct, mismanagement of public funds and poor service delivery.
He listed some of the affected vendors as Haruna Ladan Investment and Property in Jahun Local Government Area; Musa A. Jibrin in Gwiwa Ward 1, Jahun LGA; Nura Yahaya in Chukuto Ward of Taura LGA; Usman Umar Malam in Sarawa Ward 1, Kafin Hausa LGA; and Muhammad Suleiman in Sarawa Ward 2 of the same LGA.
Others include Musa Salisu in Zago Ward 1, Kafin Hausa LGA; Dauda Yusuf in Zago Ward 2, Kafin Hausa LGA; Lurwanu Alhassan in Unguwar Ya Ward 1, Birnin Kudu LGA; Ashiru Kamisu in Danladi Ward 1, Sule Tankarkar LGA; Shuaibu Muhammad in Danladi Ward 2, Sule Tankarkar LGA; Muhammad Abdullahi in Jeke Ward 1, Sule Tankarkar LGA; and Jafaru Magaji in Amanga Ward 1, Sule Tankarkar LGA.
Also affected are Sulaiman Shuaibu in Yayari Ward 1, Hadejia LGA; Badamasi Umar in Yayari Ward 2, Hadejia LGA; Danbaba Nasallah in Matsaro Ward 1, Hadejia LGA; Fatima Abdulaziz in Yankoli Ward 1, Hadejia LGA; Ibrahim Sulaiman in Yankoli Ward 2, Hadejia LGA; Yusuf Wada in Jahun; Haruna Yau and Aisha Garba in Malam Madori; Babannan Baffa in Guri; and Amina Abdullahi in Gwaram.
Sankara said the state government would not tolerate any action capable of undermining the humanitarian objectives of the programme.
He added that the administration remained committed to maintaining strict standards to ensure the initiative benefits the less privileged during the Ramadan period.
The commissioner further disclosed that arrangements were already underway to appoint replacement contractors to guarantee the smooth continuation of the feeding programme.
He explained that the affected vendors operated across several local government areas, including Kafin Hausa, Birnin Kudu, Sule Tankarkar and Hadejia, with allegations ranging from incomplete food portions and poor meal quality to failure to pay cooks hired for the exercise.
Sankara reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and efficient service delivery, noting that the welfare of Jigawa residents would remain a top priority of the administration.
