Nigerians Question N10 Billion Budget for Rent and Furniture of National Assembly Leaders

In a move that has sparked public outrage, Nigeria’s National Assembly presiding officers – Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies – have been allocated N10 billion for rent and furniture in the 2024 supplementary budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the supplementary budget approved by lawmakers in September, the item titled “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly” is part of a larger N288 billion allocation for various projects within the FCT. This budget provision raises eyebrows as the country faces significant economic difficulties, including inflation and a lack of basic infrastructure.

This lavish allocation includes N997 million for rent and N30 million for local travel, bringing the total expenses on housing and transportation to over N1 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. In addition, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has allocated billions for luxury housing projects, including N25 billion for constructing homes for judges and N21 billion for a mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The timing of this budget provision is particularly controversial, as Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges. Critics point out that the government is prioritizing lavish spending on accommodation and furniture for top officials, while basic infrastructure like clean water and healthcare remains insufficient.

In particular, the FCT has faced criticism for its failure to complete housing projects for the National Assembly presiding officers despite a decade of stalled construction in the Three-Arms Zone. Sources reveal that the buildings, which are intended for the four presiding officers, have been left incomplete for years.

The question remains: why is the FCT allocating N10 billion for rent and furniture when the National Assembly has its own substantial budget, and why hasn’t the government redirected this money to complete the housing projects that have remained unfinished for years?

This growing expenditure on luxury for government officials stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. Many are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the allocation of public funds, urging the government to prioritize the needs of the citizens over the comforts of a few individuals in power.