Connect with us

News

FG mum as report alleges N6.9tn budget padding

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Civic tech organisation, BudgIT Nigeria, says it has uncovered over 11,000 dubious projects worth N6.93trn inserted by the National Assembly in the 2025 budget.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle on Tuesday, describing the development as a “deeply entrenched culture of exploitation and abuse”, led by top-ranking members of the National Assembly.

“BudgIT, a prominent civic tech organisation promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public finance, has uncovered 11,122 projects valued at N6.93tn inserted by the National Assembly into the 2025 Federal Government budget. What began as isolated irregularities has, over the years, evolved into a deeply entrenched culture of exploitation and abuse, with the budget process now a playground for self-serving political interests, led by top-ranking members of the National Assembly,” the statement partly read.

President Bola Tinubu, on December 18, 2024, presented an appropriation bill of N49.74trn to the NASS for the 2025 fiscal year, up by 80.96 per cent from the initially proposed 2024 budget. The Assembly upwardly reviewed and signed the budget, which was signed into law by President Tinubu on February 28, 2025.

Advertisement

The President had however increased the budget to N54.2tn, which was then bumped up by the Assembly to N54.99tn, indicating a cumulative increase of N5.29tn.

In its statement, BudgIT said of the total 11,122 projects inserted into the budget, 238 projects, each worth more than N5bn, with a cumulative value of N2.29tn, were inserted with little to no justification, while another 984 projects worth N1.71tn and 1,119 projects, costing between N500m and N1bn and totalling N641.38bn were inserted indiscriminately.

They added that 39 per cent of the insertions (4,371 projects worth N1.72tn), were “forced” into the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, raising its capital allocation from N242.5bn to N1.95tn, while the Ministry of Science and Technology also saw its allocation increase from N994.98bn to N1.1trn from insertions.

“Our analysis reveals that 238 projects valued above N5bn each, with a cumulative value of N2.29tn, were inserted with little to no justification. 984 projects worth N1.71tn and 1,119 projects within the range of N500m to N1bn, totaling N641.38bn, were indiscriminately inserted. A closer look shows that 3,573 projects worth N653.19bn are assigned directly to federal constituencies and 1,972 projects worth N444.04bn to senatorial districts.

Advertisement

“Shockingly 39% of all insertions – 4371 projects worth N1.72trn – were forced into the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget, inflating its capital allocation from N242.5bn to N1.95tn and budget, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning also saw bloated allocations of N994.98bn and N1.1tn respectively, from insertions alone. Even more concerning is the targeted misuse of agencies like the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (Lagos) and the Federal Cooperative College Oji River as dumping grounds for politically motivated projects. These agencies lack the technical capacity to execute such projects, leading to rampant underperformance and waste.”

The organisation also highlighted some of the most glaring anomalies in the budget to include 1,477 streetlight projects worth N393.29bn, 538 boreholes totalling N114.53bn, 2,122 ICT projects valued at N505.79bn, and N6.74bn earmarked for “empowerment of traditional rulers”.

BudgIT, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to “exercise stronger executive leadership and reform the budgeting process to ensure alignment with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) and other national priorities.”

They also urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to seek a constitutional interpretation of the court on the extent of the appropriation powers of the National Assembly, particularly its authority to unilaterally introduce new capital projects without the concurrence of the executive, while hoping that anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission will “take action to track these projects and ensure Nigeria gets value for money.”

Advertisement

However, efforts to get the reaction of the House of Representatives were not successful as the spokesman, Mr Akin Rotimi, was not available for comment.

On his part, the deputy spokesman, Mr Philip Agbese, neither picked up his calls nor acknowledged messages sent to him on WhatsApp.

In the same vein, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Julie Osagie-Jacobs, did not respond to the request for comment sent to her on WhatsApp on Tuesday by one of our correspondents, and calls to her line did not go through.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

Wike Debunks Report He’s Lobbying For APC Presidential Campaign DG, Reiterates Commitment To Tinubu’s Reelection

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has debunked reports in some section of the media suggesting that he was lobbying to be made Director-General (DG) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

The Minister, who reiterated his unflinching support for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that he does not need to be the DG or even member of the President’s Campaign Council to deliver ensure that the President wins massively in Rivers State and the FCT.

A report in some section of the media had listed the FCT among top party chieftains and government officials lobbying or being mentioned for the position of the APC Presidential Campaign Council DG.

Advertisement

However, reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT described the report as false, saying he did not at any time discuss leadership or even membership of the Presidential Campaign Council with anyone.

He said; “I am outside Nigeria, resting and relaxing after spending over 30 days, commissioning projects, flagging off new ones and inspecting ongoing ones, especially those scheduled for commissioning in December and January, next year.

“When I return, our focus will be the continuous delivery of our mandate in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to further enhance his electoral fortune in Rivers State and the FCT.

“Therefore, I do not need to be the DG or even member of the Presidential Campaign Council of Mr President’s political party to contribute my quota by ensuring that he wins handsomely in Rivers State and the FCT.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

NSCDC Deploys 10,210 Staff For Osun Guber Election

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of the guber election.

The Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the deployment as part of efforts to strengthen security across the state and ensure a peaceful electoral process.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Advertisement

According to Afolabi, the deployment, which commenced on Monday, is aimed at providing a secure environment for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.

The statement said personnel from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) State Commands would reinforce the Osun State Command.

It added that about 1,000 personnel from each of the commands would be deployed, comprising both uniformed and undercover operatives, to strengthen security coverage across the state alongside other security agencies.

Audi also directed the deployment of specialised formations with capabilities tailored to the security requirements of the election.

Advertisement

They include the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

The statement said the specialised teams would complement the regular deployment through intelligence gathering, crime prevention and detection, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other security responsibilities within their areas of competence.

For effective coordination of the election security operations, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants-General and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to supervise the deployment.

Audi assured residents that the NSCDC would maintain professionalism, impartiality and respect for citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.

Advertisement

He stressed that the protection of election materials, electoral officials and voters would remain a priority for the Corps.

Audi also directed personnel to work in unbiased synergy with other security agencies on election duty to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

The Commandant-General warned that the NSCDC, in collaboration with other security agencies, would not tolerate activities capable of disrupting the electoral process.

He added that political thugs and other individuals planning to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election would face the law in accordance with the Electoral Act.

Advertisement

The NSCDC appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to maintain peace and allow the democratic process to take its course.

It said the Corps would continue to work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other sister security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas.

Audi further urged residents to remain calm, peaceful and vigilant during the election period and cooperate with security personnel.

He also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities and security concerns promptly to the appropriate security authorities.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

See Black Market rate of the Dollar to Naira today 10th August, 2026

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 10th August 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.

NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.

The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today, including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.

Advertisement

The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 10th August 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1430 and buy at ₦1415 on Monday, 10th August, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Disclaimer naijablitznews does not set or determine forex rates. The official NAFEX rates are obtained from the FMDQOTC website. Parallel market rates (black market rates) are obtained from various sources, including online media outlets. The rates you buy or sell forex may be different from what is captured in this article.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News