Questions Over N30bn For Palaces, Places Of Worship


 

Questions Over N30bn For Palaces, Places Of Worship


By

Joshua Bilkisu Swatkasah 

Questions have emerged over the allocation of N30.15 billion in the 2026 federal budget for the construction, renovation and furnishing of palaces, as well as projects linked to churches and mosques across Nigeria. According to Tracka, an initiative of the BudgIT Foundation, N22.15 billion was earmarked for 106 palace projects, while N8 billion was allocated for 59 religious-related projects, sparking concerns over spending priorities amid the country's budget deficit and rising debt.


Tracka also revealed that 11 palace projects worth N5.85 billion had no identified locations, making public oversight difficult. The organisation further noted that several unrelated Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including research institutes, agricultural colleges and health facilities, were assigned to execute palace projects despite lacking the statutory mandate to do so.


Responding to criticism, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said the N1 billion allocation linked to churches in his Bende Federal Constituency was not solely for musical instruments but part of a broader youth reorientation programme aimed at tackling drug abuse, violence and other social vices through faith-based organisations. He added that no funds had been released because the 2026 budget had not yet been implemented.


Political analyst Jide Ojo described the allocations for religious projects as an inappropriate use of public funds, arguing that scarce resources should instead be directed to sectors such as healthcare, education and infrastructure. He urged the government to reconsider spending on religious institutions, warning that such interventions could raise questions of fairness and accountability.


#NexviewTv#NexviewNews#NexviewUpdate#2026#BreakingNews#Politics#N30bn#PlacesofWorship#Palaces#FG#Tracka#JideOjo#Nigeria


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