The Federal Government has set aside approximately N962.83 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the purchase of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and various empowerment initiatives.
This substantial allocation has drawn scrutiny, as it surpasses the combined budgets of several key federal ministries.According to an analysis by civic technology organisation Tracka, the breakdown includes N15.13 billion for procuring 39 SUVs and N947.70 billion for 2,579 empowerment projects.
This total exceeds the combined N960.27 billion allocated to seven ministries: Industry, Trade and Investment (N156.8bn), Housing and Urban Development (N145.3bn), Women Affairs (N169.39bn), Justice (N150.7bn), Livestock Development (N177.6bn), Aviation and Aerospace Development (N87.3bn), and Petroleum Resources (N73.1bn).
Tracka raised serious concerns about transparency, noting that only 70 of the 2,579 empowerment projects have clearly identified implementation locations.
The projects are spread across 184 implementing agencies, many of which lack a statutory mandate for such programmes.
Examples include the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River (393 projects worth N127.1bn), the National Agricultural Development Fund (six projects at N89.5bn, including the largest single item N89.09bn for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme), and the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa (216 projects worth N88.1bn).
While empowerment programmes can deliver real benefits when well-executed, Tracka warned that vague allocations without locations, clear beneficiaries, or proper oversight often become channels for political patronage rather than genuine development.
The concerns are heightened by the government’s heavy reliance on borrowing. The 2026 budget anticipates a deficit of around 46%, with total debt financing revised upward to N29.20 trillion.
Economists have criticised the priorities. Professor Sheriffdeen Tella of Olabisi Onabanjo University urged focusing empowerment on locally produced goods to stimulate the domestic economy rather than imports.
Lagos-based economist Adewale Abimbola described the spending as reflecting poor fiscal prioritisation, potentially undermining public confidence at a time of elevated borrowing.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com