The Federal Government has clarified reports surrounding a budgetary provision for churches in Abia State, stating that the allocation is not a ₦1 billion expenditure solely for the purchase of musical instruments but part of a broader youth re-orientation and community support initiative.News In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the office explained that the actual allocation stands at ₦780 million after Value Added Tax (VAT) and other statutory deductions.
According to the statement signed by the Deputy Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the funds are earmarked for a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations across Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State.
The office said the programme will benefit more than 130 churches, with each expected to receive between ₦5 million and ₦6 million in the first phase of implementation. It explained that Bende Federal Constituency has 13 electoral wards and over 200 churches, adding that about 10 churches will be selected from each ward to participate in the initial phase. 
According to the statement, the funds will be used to procure evangelical musical instruments and public address systems to strengthen church-led youth engagement initiatives aimed at tackling social vices, including drug abuse, sexual offences and violent crime, while promoting discipline, peace, moral values and character development among young people.
The Deputy Speaker’s office stressed that the intervention should not be viewed as an expenditure on musical instruments alone but as part of the government’s broader non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity and promoting national unity through trusted community institutions. It argued that nation-building involves not only physical infrastructure but also investment in the moral and value systems of citizens, noting that faith-based organisations have long played critical roles in community development and youth mentorship.
The statement also pointed out that traditional institutions have similarly received government support through the provision of town halls and community engagement centres to preserve cultural values.
Responding to criticism generated by earlier reports, the office said claims that ₦1 billion was budgeted exclusively for church musical instruments misrepresented the purpose of the allocation.
It further disclosed that a technical error was identified in the procurement description contained in the budget, adding that a letter of corrigendum had already been initiated to correct the description through the appropriate budgetary process before implementation. The office also clarified that no funds have been released for the programme because the 2026 budget has not yet been funded or implemented.
It noted that Nigeria is currently operating under the 2024 and 2025 budgets and that procurement will only begin after the necessary releases are made.
The Deputy Speaker’s office urged the media and members of the public to disregard what it described as sensational reports and support initiatives aimed at promoting youth development, peace and moral values across communities.
