The presiding officers of Nigeria’s National Assembly—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies—have been allocated N10 billion for rent and furnishings in the 2024 supplementary budget. This allocation, part of the N288 billion supplementary budget submitted by President Bola Tinubu in September, was swiftly approved by lawmakers within just five days, Premium Times Investigation.
The budget line item, labeled “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly,” highlights a trend of lavish spending amidst widespread economic hardship in Nigeria. This allocation follows a series of generous expenditures by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose recent spending spree includes a N21 billion mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima and N25 billion for housing construction for judges.
Wike’s allocations raise questions about the priorities of the current administration, particularly as Nigeria faces significant economic challenges exacerbated by deregulation policies and currency devaluation. Recent reports indicate a tragic increase in food scarcity, with numerous Nigerians losing their lives in desperate attempts to secure basic provisions.
Critics have labeled this move as emblematic of the government’s “lavish spending” while advocating austerity measures for the general populace. High-profile expenditures have included a $100 million presidential jet and luxury vehicles for National Assembly members, drawing scrutiny and allegations of misusing public funds to influence key institutions.
The constitutional framework designates the president as the governor of the FCT, with the National Assembly acting as its legislative body. Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was appointed by President Tinubu, a move seen as a reward for his support during the 2023 presidential election.
Historically, the presiding officers of the National Assembly have been housed in legislative quarters, which were sold off under a monetization policy initiated during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Since 2011, the government has resorted to renting accommodations for these officials, with reports indicating that Senate President Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen currently reside in rented apartments in upscale areas of Abuja.
The supplementary budget presented by Wike included 32 projects, with the N10 billion earmarked for the presiding officers’ housing raising numerous questions: What type of rent and furnishings are being covered? Why is the FCT financing these expenses when the National Assembly has its own budget? And why allocate N10 billion for rent when there are existing housing projects for these officials that remain incomplete?
Despite the National Assembly’s budget of N344 billion—the highest ever—these pressing questions remain unanswered. The allocation for rent and furnishings appears particularly stark when compared to the federal government’s proposed N11.5 billion for the construction of 20,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Agenda Housing Scheme.
As the National Assembly grapples with its role in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, the N10 billion allocation for a select few underscores a growing perception of insensitivity and a lack of transparency in the management of public funds.
This report is brought to you with support from Civic Media Lab.
