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
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