Questions have trailed the allocation of N30.15 billion in the 2026 budget for the construction, renovation and furnishing of palaces and execution of some religious-related projects across the country.

A document released by a public accountability organisation, Tracka – an initiative of the BudgIT Foundation – revealed that a total of N22.15 billion was earmarked for renovation and furnishing of 106 palaces nationwide while N8 billion was budgeted for projects related to construction, renovation and other related support to churches and mosques across the country in the 2026 budget.

The huge allocations for maintenance and construction of palaces and religious institutions at a time when critical sectors such as health and education are begging for attention have raised concerns over government spending amid a N31.45 trillion budget deficit and rising debt obligations.

Tracka said its review showed that N1.91 billion was allocated to seven church-related projects, while N6.14 billion was set aside for 52 mosque projects in different parts of the country.

The organisation explained that the allocations covered projects such as the construction and rehabilitation of worship centres, solar power installations, boreholes, musical equipment for churches, carpets, imam residences and facilities for Islamiyya schools.

Among the identified projects were a N1 billion allocation for musical and cultural equipment for churches in Abia State and another N1 billion for solar power installations at mosques in Zamfara State.

Findings by Daily Trust in previous related reports have shown that in most cases, lawmakers insert these projects into the budget lines of MDAs that lack the statutory mandate to execute them.

No locations for 11 palace projects worth N5.85bn

An extensive review of the budget document released by Tracka on Wednesday exposed widespread accountability loopholes, showing that 11 palace projects worth N5.85 billion have no identified physical locations, making public tracking and oversight impossible.

Also, none of the 45 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) saddled with executing these multi-billion-naira palace projects possesses the legal or statutory mandate to construct royal structures.

Instead, the federal government routed billions of naira meant for palaces through completely unrelated research institutes, agricultural colleges, and specialised health facilities, bypassing standard procurement scrutiny.

Among the allocations, the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan in Oyo State was tasked with executing a N2.661 billion project for the “renovation of community halls and palaces in selected central communities in FNRP Lagos” under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, alongside a N350 million project across six local government areas in Ekiti South, and a N210 million allocation in Ondo South.

The Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja, was earmarked N1.54 billion under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for the “modernisation and furnishing of some selected national heritage palaces in communities across Nigeria.”

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Lagos, was allocated projects totalling N3.92 billion, including N1 billion for pavilions and solar power at Oluyin Palace in Iyin Ekiti; N525 million for a palace hall at Ojo, Lagos; N337.13 million at Itire Ikate; N315 million for the Agbana of Isanlu palace in Kogi State; N315 million for the Ologidi Central Palace in Ogidi; N175 million for Ootunja Palace in Ikole LGA, Ekiti State; and N140 million for Otosho of Agbashi Palace in Nasarawa State.

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria was designated to handle N750 million for the completion and furnishing of the Olu-Adde Palace of Ekinrin Adde, Akinrin Palace in Ekinrin Adde, Obaro Kabba Palace, and Olujumu Palace in Iyara, Kogi State. The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOURS) was allocated N700 million for palaces and offices in Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State.

The National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, was slotted for N560 million for Emirs’ palaces in Zone B, Niger State; N350 million for the Etsu Nupe Palace in Bida; and N175 million in Obokun/Oriade, Osun State.

The Nigeria Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin, captured N595 million for palace houses in the Niger Delta, and N210 million for the Olu Gbede Central Palace in Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.

The Federal Cooperative College, Oji River in Enugu State, was assigned N500 million for palaces in Ondo South; N200 million for the Obi Palace pavilion in Aniocha/Oshimili, Delta State; and N175 million for the Emir Palace in Shonga. The National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi in Niger State, was allocated N400 million to construct traditional rulers’ palaces in Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

The Industrial Arbitration Panel was assigned N369.46 million for an internal access road and palace road in Oyun LGA, Kwara State. The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) was earmarked N350 million for the palace of the District Head of Paiko. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Headquarters captured N350 million and N140 million for palaces in Kwara South.

The Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Kuru, Jos, was allocated N350 million for the palace of the Okumagbe of Iuleha in Edo State. The Cocoa Research Institute, Ibadan, was assigned N280 million for a mosque and palace in Oyo State; N210 million for Okeluse Oba Palace in Ondo State; and N210 million in Obokun/Oriade, Osun State.

The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, was allocated N280 million for VIP guest palaces in Gombe State; N200 million for district heads’ palaces in Yalmaltu-Deba; and N140 million in Balanga/Billiri. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was tasked with constructing palaces for Eze Odani, Eze Odu, and Odolukwu of Elelenwo in Rivers State for N280 million.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Headquarters was allocated N280 million for palaces in Kuje Amuwo, Lagos State, and Ilawe Ekiti. The Energy Commission of Nigeria was assigned N250 million for a palace hall at Awo, Osun State.

The National Productivity Centre captured N224 million and N140 million for Obas’ palaces in Ogun State; N210 million for Mopa Central Palace, Kogi State; N210 million for palaces in Epinmi Akoko and Ibaka, Ondo State; N200 million in Akungba Akoko, Ondo; and N140 million for Malabu District Head Palace in Adamawa State.

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, was tasked with N217 million for Obas’ palaces in Ogun State. The National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Jos, was earmarked N210 million for the Okumagbe of Iuleha Palace in Edo State. The Chad Basin River Basin Development Authority was assigned N200 million for solar street lights at Mai Gudi Palace, Yobe State.

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) was allocated N200 million under the Ministry of Health to renovate district heads’ palaces in Gudu/Tangaza, Sokoto State. The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research received N175 million for solar modules for palaces in Ijumu and Kabba Bunu, Kogi State.

The Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority was earmarked N175 million to complete the Ogoga Palace Hall in Ikere Ekiti. The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) was assigned N150 million for a palace in Oba Akoko, Ondo State. The National Centre for Technology Management, Ile-Ife, Osun State, was tasked with N150 million for the Ataoja of Osogbo Palace. The Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority was earmarked N150 million to complete Eze Elelenwo Palace.

The Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, was allocated N140 million for Emir palaces and a mosque in Birnin Gwari/Giwa, Kaduna State. The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) was tasked with N140 million for an Obi Palace pavilion in Delta State. The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Dawanau, was listed among implementing agencies executed to construct and renovate palaces to the tune of N42 million.

Kalu explains N1bn church allocation

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu explained that the N1 billion allocation for churches in his Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State was not meant solely for the purchase of musical instruments, as widely reported, but was part of a broader youth reorientation and social support programme.

In a statement on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said the project was designed to support faith-based organisations in promoting moral values, youth mentoring and campaigns against social vices.

He said the programme would focus on tackling issues such as drug abuse, sexual offences and violent crimes through community engagement and outreach activities.

According to the statement, the actual amount available for the programme after deductions, including Value Added Tax (VAT), is about N780 million.

“The intervention is not about instruments alone. It is about leveraging trusted community structures to reorient our youths, promote unity and sustain moral instruction,” the statement said.

Kalu’s office explained that the reference to “musical instruments” in the budget description did not fully capture the scope of the intervention, which would include evangelical tools, public address systems and other equipment needed for community outreach.

The statement added that Bende Federal Constituency has 13 federal political wards and more than 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme expected to cover 130 churches. Each beneficiary church would receive intervention packages estimated between N5 million and N6 million.

Defending the initiative, Kalu said nation-building required investment beyond physical infrastructure.

“Nation-building must go beyond roads and physical infrastructure. Government must also invest in building the character and value system of the people who use the infrastructure using various value-delivery platforms,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker also dismissed claims that churches had already received the funds or equipment, stating that no disbursement had been made because the 2026 budget was yet to be implemented.

He explained that the federal government was still implementing the 2024 and 2025 budgets, making it impossible for any project under the 2026 Appropriation Act to have commenced.

Kalu’s office further disclosed that a letter of corrigendum had been initiated to correct what it described as a technical error in the budget description, allowing the Budget Office and the National Assembly’s Appropriations Committee to amend the wording before implementation.

What N8bn allocations can do for healthcare

A review of current market prices of medical equipment obtained from the websites of Nigerian biomedical equipment suppliers, including Gijuwie Biomedical Electronics Company Limited and Standard Medics Global Limited, shows that the N8.05 billion earmarked for religious projects could have supported the equipping of hundreds of primary healthcare facilities across the country.

The two companies, which supply, install and service medical and laboratory equipment for hospitals and clinics, list prices for critical healthcare tools ranging from diagnostic machines and laboratory equipment to maternity and emergency care devices.

Based on the prevailing prices of equipment sourced from the suppliers, a basic but functional primary healthcare centre would require between N35 million and N50 million for essential medical equipment, depending on the quality, brand and scope of services. Using this estimate, the N8.05 billion allocation could have provided equipment packages for between 160 and 230 primary healthcare centres nationwide.

For instance, a basic portable ultrasound machine currently sells between N2.5 million and N3.5 million, while patient monitoring machines cost between N1 million and N1.5 million.

A standard laboratory unit requires equipment such as haematology analysers for blood tests, which cost between N3.8 million and N4.2 million, and chemistry analysers estimated at between N1.2 million and N3.5 million, according to prices listed by medical equipment suppliers.

The funds could also provide essential maternity and emergency equipment needed in rural health facilities.

A delivery bed costs between N500,000 and N2 million, while fetal Doppler machines used for monitoring unborn babies are estimated at between N150,000 and N300,000.

Other essential items include oxygen concentrators, which cost between N300,000 and N1 million, suction machines estimated between N290,000 and N1 million, and sterilisation equipment such as autoclaves that range from about N1.5 million to N8 million, depending on capacity.

‘Nigeria needs reset over religious spending’

Political analyst Jide Ojo criticised the N8bn allocations for the construction, renovation and equipping of churches and mosques, describing it as an inappropriate use of public funds.

Ojo, who spoke on the controversy surrounding the allocations, said religious activities and projects should largely remain private affairs of citizens, arguing that government resources should be channelled towards sectors that benefit the wider population.

“I am baffled at the enormous resources that the Nigerian government, both at the federal and state levels, has provided for religious rites, pilgrimage, renovation and building of religious worship centres,” Ojo said.

He argued that government involvement in funding religious projects was misplaced, especially at a time when critical sectors such as education and infrastructure require urgent attention.

“You are talking of money to do infrastructure, yet you have provided billions for mosque and church renovations. Does that make sense?” he asked.

The analyst said politicians often support religious projects because of the influence religious leaders wield over their followers, describing such interventions as a form of political patronage.

“They want to be seen as pious, to be seen as friends of the church or friends of the mosque. They know that people listen to their religious leaders, whether Christian or Muslim,” he said.

Ojo said the billions being spent on religious activities could be better deployed to improve the condition of schools across the country.

“Many of our schools, primary, secondary, even tertiary, are in dilapidated conditions. Why can’t we fix that?” he queried.

He noted that several countries with strong religious populations do not involve the government in financing religious activities, citing the need for Nigeria to rethink its approach.

“Have you ever heard of a state government or federal government in the United States sponsoring people on religious trips to either Saudi Arabia or Jerusalem? I think we need a brain reset for our leaders,” he said.

Ojo also raised concerns about possible demands from adherents of traditional religions if the government continues to fund Christian and Islamic projects.

He cited the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as an example, arguing that traditional worshippers could also demand government support for their religious sites.

“What about the traditional religious worshippers? They also have a right to demand that the government should come and build or maintain their shrines,” he said.

The analyst said the government’s role should be limited to promoting religious harmony and ensuring that no group infringes on the rights of another.

Ojo, however, acknowledged that lawmakers often receive requests from constituents and religious groups seeking support, but insisted that such interventions should not become budgetary commitments funded with public resources. (Daily Trust)

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