LAGOS JULY 21ST (NEWSRANGERS)-The Federal Government has come under intense public scrutiny after details of the 2026 Appropriation Bill revealed an allocation of ₦8.05 billion for the construction, renovation, equipping and support of churches and mosques across the country.
The controversial spending, uncovered by public accountability organisation Tracka, a BudgIT initiative, has sparked widespread debate over the government’s spending priorities at a time Nigeria is grappling with rising debt, inflation and worsening economic hardship.
According to the budget breakdown, ₦1.91 billion was allocated to projects linked to seven churches, while ₦6.14 billion was earmarked for 52 mosque-related projects spread across several states.
An analysis of the budget shows that many of the religious projects were embedded within the budgets of ministries, departments and agencies whose mandates have little or no connection to religious affairs.
Among the most notable allocations is ₦1 billion under the Industrial Arbitration Panel, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, for the provision and distribution of musical and cultural equipment to churches in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Another ₦1 billion was allocated through the Energy Commission of Nigeria to provide alternative solar power to mosques in Zamfara North Senatorial District.
The budget also earmarked ₦850 million through the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) for the construction of churches and mosques, as well as financial support for religious leaders in Gombe State.
Other allocations include ₦280 million for the construction of the Al-Quareeb Community Mosque and palace in Oyo State through the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, ₦280 million for mosque renovations and mini-grid projects in Zamfara State, and ₦280 million for the renovation of Central Mosque Minna and Paiko Central Mosque, including the provision of carpets.
Additional provisions cover the construction of mosques, Islamiyya schools, imam residences, solar-powered boreholes, solar street lights, mini-grids, cemetery lighting and the rehabilitation of religious structures across Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Gombe, Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Taraba and other states.
The budget also includes ₦50 million for the renovation of a church building in Bayelsa East Senatorial District, alongside several other church-related projects.
The revelations have generated criticism from economists, civil society groups and citizens, who argue that such spending is difficult to justify as the country battles a severe fiscal crisis.
Nigeria’s 2026 budget carries a ₦31.45 trillion fiscal deficit, representing nearly 46 percent of the total budget, with the government expected to finance the gap largely through domestic and external borrowing.
Critics argue that using borrowed funds for projects that deliver little or no measurable economic return raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility.
Tracka, in a statement posted on X, questioned whether constructing and renovating places of worship should take precedence over investments in healthcare, education, clean water, roads and other essential public services.
“With increasing debt and limited fiscal space, every naira borrowed and every naira spent should deliver the greatest possible public value,” the organisation stated.
The organisation further asked whether allocating billions of naira to religious infrastructure is appropriate when many communities still lack functional primary healthcare centres, quality schools, potable water and motorable roads.
Analysts have also raised concerns over the apparent mismatch between the mandates of several government agencies and the religious projects assigned to them, noting that institutions such as the Industrial Arbitration Panel, the Cocoa Research Institute, the Energy Commission of Nigeria and agricultural agencies have little direct connection to religious infrastructure.
The disclosures have renewed calls for greater transparency in budget implementation and stricter oversight of constituency projects, with observers warning that embedding such projects in unrelated agencies could weaken accountability and public confidence in government spending.
The Daily Times
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