The National Assembly has come under scrutiny again for alleged budget padding, following reports that it approved ₦103.6 billion for the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu, despite the institution’s proposed budget of ₦12.8 billion for the 2024 fiscal year.
The budget increase, amounting to ₦90.8 billion, represents a 5,000% hike raising concerns about financial mismanagement and transparency.
The civic tech organization BudgIT Foundation revealed this discrepancy, highlighting the National Assembly’s repeated pattern of budget inflation. In a statement on social media, BudgIT said:
“Federal Cooperative College Oji River sent a 2024 proposed budget of ₦12.8 billion to the National Assembly. The National Assembly sent back an approved budget of ₦103.6 billion!”
BudgIT also exposed that 419 additional projects were inserted into the budget, many running into hundreds of millions of naira. Among them were:
– ₦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, Anambra State.
– **₦600 million for a fistula treatment facility at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki.
– ₦500 million for a renewable solar mini-grid and boreholes in Oyo and Kwara states.
– ₦500 million for solar street lights in Rivers State communities
This is not the first time such budget alterations have been reported. BudgIT also disclosed that the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, initially proposed a ₦667 million budget but was allocated ₦40.88 billion by lawmakers—an increase of ₦40.22 billion
The issue of budget padding has been a recurring problem in Nigeria’s legislative processes, raising questions about accountability and the proper allocation of public funds.
As the 2025 budget review approaches, civic organizations and watchdog groups are calling for greater transparency and a re-evaluation of legislative budgetary powers to prevent further financial mismanagement.
The revelation has sparked public outrage, with Nigerians demanding an investigation into the inflated allocations. Advocacy groups are urging the Executive Arm and anti-corruption agencies to take action and ensure proper oversight in budget approvals.
Meanwhile, stakeholders are calling on the National Assembly to provide justifications for the budget hikes and ensure funds are directed towards meaningful projects that truly benefit Nigerians
