N400bn Allocated for Mosques and Community Projects

The 2026 Federal Government budget allocates over N400 billion for the construction and renovation of mosques, traditional rulers’ palaces, community halls, and civic centres across Nigeria, as revealed by a review. This funding, distributed among approximately 78 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), has drawn criticism from economists and policy experts who argue that these funds could be better utilized in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, power, security, and road infrastructure.

More than half of the allocated amount is directed towards projects deemed outside key national development priorities, including the supply of grains and construction of museums. Agencies involved include the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Air Force, and the National Building and Road Research Institute, which has unusual budget items such as village halls and traditional rulers’ palaces.

Consultant economist Chukwunonso Ihuma attributes the inclusion of these projects to poor oversight by the National Assembly.