Nigeria's FAAC Allocations Surge: A Call for Development

The National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index reveals that 133 million Nigerians, or 63 percent of the population, are poor across various dimensions, with poverty rates ranging from 27 percent in Ondo to 91 percent in Sokoto. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation reports that combined state and local government allocations increased from ₦5.14 trillion in 2022 to ₦13.22 trillion in 2025, marking a 157 percent rise.

Notable allocations include Lagos at ₦996 billion, Kano at ₦561 billion, Katsina at ₦406 billion, Jigawa at ₦352 billion, and Enugu at ₦275 billion. States received a total of ₦29.04 trillion from 2023 to 2025, averaging ₦334 billion per state.

However, historical patterns show that past allocation booms have not translated into sustainable development, as states often expand payrolls and overheads instead of capital projects. Local government allocations reached ₦11.45 trillion, yet these funds are still controlled by state structures despite a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 granting financial autonomy to local councils.