In the 2026 budget, the federal government put faith firmly above nuclear energy and climate concerns, despite global environmental pressures intensifying and energy security becoming highly vital.

N11.5 billion has been earmarked to power Nigeria’s two major pilgrimage agencies, while N4.6bn has been budgeted for nuclear energy and climate matters.

Budget documents show that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission will receive handsome allocations to manage pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem, a move that highlights the government’s resolve to smooth the spiritual journeys of thousands of Nigerians.

The N11.5 billion covers from international logistics and accommodation to staff welfare and infrastructure upgrades.

It accentuates how costly it has become to run pilgrimages.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has a larger portion of the fund being N5,995,815,647 for the 2026 fiscal year.

A breakdown shows that a chunk of NAHCON’s spending lies in its Hajj Support Programme, which alone gulps N3.5 billion. The programme is designed to handle the core logistics of the pilgrimage, including coordination with Saudi authorities, accommodation, transportation and welfare of pilgrims.

Beyond the actual pilgrimage, NAHCON is also investing heavily in its operational base. The budget sets aside N105 million for the renovation of its headquarters, while another N105 million is earmarked for the rehabilitation of Hajj camps and replacement of aging equipment.

In addition, N70 million has been approved for the replacement of old official vehicles, a move aimed at improving mobility for senior officials during peak pilgrimage operations.

Staff-related costs also take a significant share of NAHCON’s budget. Personnel expenses stand at N1,105,949,719, while an additional N190 million has been allocated for staff welfare packages. The commission has also prioritised capacity building, setting aside N50 million for local training programmes to keep its workforce aligned with evolving international pilgrimage standards.

Not far behind is the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, which secured a total allocation of N5,571,400,737 for 2026. Just like its Muslim counterpart, the NCPC has dedicated N3.5 billion to its core Christian Pilgrimage programme, covering travel, logistics and coordination for pilgrims heading to Jerusalem and other holy sites.

N119,157,871 has been earmarked for the ongoing Pilgrims Heritage Camp project, which includes plans for a 12-storey office building. The commission is also investing in alternative energy, with N45.5 million allocated for solar electricity installation at its headquarters.

In terms of executive comfort, the NCPC has provided N70 million for the purchase of a motor vehicle for the Executive Secretary, mirroring a similar provision in the NAHCON budget. Personnel welfare is another major line item, with N200 million allocated, slightly higher than NAHCON’s welfare vote.

While NAHCON spends more on staff training, the NCPC appears more generous in hospitality, budgeting N15 million for refreshments and meals compared to NAHCON’s N10 million.

The Christian pilgrimage body also carries notable administrative costs, including N25.055 million for office rent and N35 million for security services.

For climate change and energy matters, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) will spend over N4.6 billion.

The National Council on Climate Change has been allocated a total of ₦651.03 million in 2026, a modest but strategic budget aimed at steering Nigeria’s response to climate change. Of this amount, ₦151.03 million is set aside for personnel costs, including ₦131.47 million for salaries, while overhead expenses will consume ₦200 million. Capital projects take the largest slice at ₦300 million, underscoring the council’s focus on programmes rather than bureaucracy.

A closer look at recurrent spending shows ₦12 million earmarked for staff welfare, ₦5 million for motor vehicle fuel, and ₦4 million each for generator fuel and publicity. Financial and legal consulting will cost ₦4.2 million, highlighting the technical and regulatory nature of climate governance.

On the capital side, the NCCC plans to spend ₦100 million on international obligations, including bilateral and multilateral conferences that position Nigeria within global climate negotiations. Another ₦60 million will fund a Gender in Mitigation Programme across the six geo-political zones, while ₦30 million each is allocated to climate-smart resilient farms, net-zero emissions management, a national greenhouse gas tracking system, and the development of a REDD+ registry. An additional ₦20 million is set aside for climate change campaigns in schools, targeting awareness at grassroots and youth levels.

The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission commands a far heavier budget of ₦3.98 billion, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of nuclear science and infrastructure. Personnel costs alone stand at ₦2.67 billion, with salaries accounting for ₦1.79 billion. Overhead expenses are projected at ₦717.92 million, while capital expenditure totals ₦590.16 million.

NAEC’s overheads include ₦90 million for office rent, ₦35 million for security, ₦45 million for local and international training, and ₦25 million for cleaning and fumigation—figures that point to the high-security and highly specialised environment in which the commission operates.

The real weight of NAEC’s mandate, however, lies in its capital projects. A sum of ₦175 million has been earmarked for nuclear infrastructure development, including planning for a nuclear power plant and multipurpose research reactor facilities. International obligations to bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the African Regional Cooperative Agreement (AFRA) will gulp ₦140 million, while ₦70 million is set aside for education and training in nuclear science and engineering. Facility upgrades, including the Gamma Irradiation Facility in Sheda and rehabilitation works at research centres, will cost another ₦140 million, with ₦30.16 million dedicated to obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation. (The Sun)

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