A fresh investigation has revealed that about 78 federal ministries, departments and agencies set aside close to N400bn in the 2026 budget for building and refurbishing community halls, mosques, traditional rulers’ palaces, market squares and civic centres.
More than half of that sum is tied to non-developmental items, including the supply of grains, motorcycles and tricycles, sponsorship of thrift societies, and the construction of museums and mini-stadia. In several cases, the projects bear little or no relation to the statutory duties of the agencies footing the bill.
The National Building and Road Research Institute, for example, was allocated funds for village halls, an international market and royal palaces spread across Anambra, Jigawa, Rivers and Kogi states, while the National Productivity Centre’s budget stretches to support for musicians and the construction of an Emir’s palace, among other items. Analysts flagged more than N4bn tied to the remodelling of mosques alone.
Critics argue the fragmented spending robs Nigerians of investment in healthcare, education, security, roads and power. Economist Chukwunonso Ihuma blamed weak legislative oversight, accusing the National Assembly of inserting and padding projects into agency budgets, and insisting that markets and palaces should fall to states, local governments and traditional institutions.
The row comes as the country wrestles with a shaky fiscal outlook. President Tinubu signed the N68.32tn 2026 Appropriation Bill in April, yet lawmakers have extended implementation of the 2025 capital budget to September 30, meaning Nigeria is still spending last year’s budget more than halfway through 2026.
Source: Punch.
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