N512bn Spent on Governors’ Offices and Travel as Six-Month Salaries Total Just N108.65m

Thirty-three Nigerian states spent at least N512.10 billion on Government Houses, Governors’ Offices and travel and transport during the first six months of 2026, according to an analysis of state budget implementation reports.

The amount is about 4,713 times higher than the combined six-month official salaries of Nigeria’s 36 governors.

A governor’s stated monthly salary of N503,000 amounts to N3.018 million over six months, while the combined six-month salary of all 36 governors is about N108.65 million.

By comparison, available records showed N420.01 billion spent under Government House, Governor’s Office and related executive administration headings, while another N92.09 billion went to travel and transport.

The figures do not represent governors’ personal income. Government House and Governor’s Office expenditures cover official administration, staff, protocol, maintenance, utilities, security-related activities and other costs of running the executive arm of government.

Travel and transport spending also includes official journeys and transportation-related expenses across the wider state public service.

The analysis covered available first- and second-quarter 2026 budget implementation reports. Complete data were available for 30 states, while comparable figures were unavailable for Edo, Osun and Rivers.

The findings highlight the much broader public cost of maintaining the offices and administrative structures surrounding state governors, beyond their official salaries.

For comparison, available records for the first half of 2025 showed N557.80 billion spent under similar executive administration and travel headings.