The Federal Government has allocated N962.83 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for purchasing Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and initiating thousands of empowerment projects. This decision has come under scrutiny from the civic technology organization, Tracka, which raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the expenditure.
Tracka’s analysis of the 2026 budget reveals that this allocation comprises N15.13 billion for acquiring 39 SUVs and N947.70 billion for 2,579 empowerment projects, totaling N962.83 billion.
The organization highlighted that this amount surpasses the combined N960.27 billion allocated to seven significant federal ministries. These ministries include the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (N156.8 billion), Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (N145.3 billion), Ministry of Women Affairs (N169.39 billion), Federal Ministry of Justice (N150.7 billion), Ministry of Livestock Development (N177.6 billion), Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development (N87.3 billion), and Ministry of Petroleum Resources (N73.1 billion).
Tracka expressed their concern about the lack of transparency in many empowerment projects, noting that only 70 out of the 2,579 projects have clearly identified locations for implementation. This opacity makes it challenging for citizens, oversight agencies, and lawmakers to monitor their progress.
The group questioned how Nigerians would track these projects, verify their completion, or determine who benefits from such significant public spending without specific locations being disclosed.
Further analysis showed that these projects are spread across 184 implementing agencies, including some whose primary responsibilities do not typically involve empowerment programs.
Among the agencies receiving substantial allocations, the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, was assigned 393 projects valued at N127.1 billion. The National Agricultural Development Fund received six projects worth N89.5 billion, while the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State, was allotted 216 projects valued at N88.1 billion. The Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, received 94 projects valued at N36.9 billion.
A further examination of the budget indicated the single largest allocation is N89.09 billion for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme under the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Other significant allocations include N14 billion each for procuring and distributing economic empowerment equipment and utility vehicles via the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River; youth empowerment programs under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development; and youth empowerment alongside medical outreach through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The budget also encompasses billions for procuring and distributing buses, tricycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilizer, vocational equipment, grants, and additional empowerment items across various agencies and constituencies.
While recognizing that empowerment initiatives can aid poverty reduction, job creation, and economic growth, Tracka emphasized the need for these programs to be executed transparently with strict public oversight. The organization urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to provide detailed implementation information, including project locations and beneficiary details, to ensure public funds are used responsibly and effectively.
This report surfaces as Nigeria faces increasing public debt levels, growing debt servicing obligations, and fiscal challenges, prompting economists and civil society groups to call for greater transparency, judicious spending, and enhanced scrutiny of government expenditures.
