Nigeria's 2026 Budget Exposed for Corruption and Frivolities

The 2026 Appropriation Act in Nigeria has been criticized for its lack of transparency and excessive frivolities. A media report revealed ₦1.3 billion allocated to a fake agency and ₦780 million spent on musical equipment for churches in the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, rationalized as part of the 2025 budget.

The civic tech platform Tracka reported that ₦962.83 billion is earmarked for the procurement of SUVs and empowerment projects that are not national priorities. Of the 2,579 empowerment projects, only 70% have identifiable implementation locations, indicating potential ghost projects.

Notably, federal allocations are being used for projects outside the core mandates of ministries, such as constructing a Sociology Department building at Zaria and building palaces for traditional rulers in Rivers and Kogi States. Additionally, ₦15.13 billion is allocated for 39 SUVs, raising suspicions of political patronage ahead of the 2027 elections.

The total budget is ₦68.32 trillion, with a 46% deficit to be financed through borrowing.