The National Assembly has once again come under fire for alleged budget padding, this time inflating the 2024 budget of the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu, by a staggering ₦90.8 billion—an increase of over 5,000% from the institution’s proposed allocation.
Investigative reports by BudgIT Foundation, a civic tech organisation dedicated to transparency in governance, revealed that the college originally submitted a ₦12.8 billion budget proposal for the 2024 fiscal year. However, when the National Assembly finalized the budget, an astronomical ₦103.6 billion had been approved.
419 Dubious Insertions Exposed
BudgIT further uncovered 419 questionable projects embedded in the budget, many of which had little to no direct relevance to the college’s core educational mandate. Some of the dubious allocations include:
₦500 million for motorcycles and tricycles for youths in Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo States.
₦500 million for a mini sports center in Alor, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State.
₦600 million for a Fistula facility at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki.
₦600 million for “empowerment programs” targeting selected skilled youths and market women in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States.
₦500 million for solar-powered streetlights and boreholes in Oyo and Kwara States.
₦500 million for solar-powered streetlights in Eleme LGA, Rivers State.
₦500 million for streetlights in schools and hospitals across Rivers State.
These insertions have raised serious concerns over the lack of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s budgeting process. Critics argue that these allocations have no direct bearing on the core functions of the Federal Cooperative College, fueling suspicions that they serve as conduits for siphoning public funds.
This is not an isolated case. SaharaReporters previously exposed how lawmakers padded the 2024 budget of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, by ₦40.22 billion.
The Lagos-based institution had submitted a modest budget proposal of ₦667 million, but the National Assembly shockingly approved ₦40.88 billion—a 6,000% increase.
Calls for Accountability
As outrage spreads over the reckless manipulation of the national budget, civic groups and anti-corruption advocates are demanding answers. BudgIT, in a statement posted on its official X handle, called for transparency in the upcoming 2025 budget review to prevent another round of unchecked fiscal abuse.
“Nigerians deserve to know where these funds are going,” BudgIT stated. “The National Assembly must explain these insertions and ensure accountability in public spending.”
With economic hardship worsening in the country, many Nigerians are questioning how lawmakers can justify inflating budgets by billions while the government struggles with minimum wage negotiations and rising inflation.
Will the National Assembly be held accountable for this latest budget padding scandal, or will it be business as usual? The Nigerian public is watching.
PIONEER NEWS 