The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has debunked claims that the National Assembly Committee on Finance interrogating the agency on its activities.
The NLRC made this clarification in a statement by its Director-General, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday.
The statement said: “The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has become aware of a misleading report circulating on social media regarding a video from the National Assembly Committee on Finance interrogating an agency.
“This report falsely alleges that the Commission ‘Generated N6.3 billion in 2022 but remitted Zero Naira, with a deficit of N252 million while fully funded by the Federal Government.’
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“It is imperative to clarify that this report does not pertain to the NLRC. This deliberate dissemination of misinformation threatens the reputation and trustworthiness of the Nigerian lottery sector and the credibility of the NLRC itself.
“Let me be unequivocal in stating that the NLRC disassociates itself from the recent false claims erroneously or deliberately linking us to alleged fund misappropriation by the Nigerian Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF).”
It said the House of Representatives Committee on Finance quizzed the NLTF on the mentioned day, adding that confusion arose when two television stations mistakenly referenced the NLRC instead of the intended entity, the NLTF, in their reports.
The statement said both media agencies have promptly issued an apology to the NLRC for the error.
It, however, clarified that the trillions of Naira the NLTF is purportedly asserting as the Nigerian lottery industry valuation were unfounded and merely sensationalist, seeking attention rather than truth.
“The assertion becomes even more ridiculous when juxtaposed with the current GDP. Moreover, the NLTF is neither the regulator nor custodian of lottery figures in Nigeria,” it added.
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