78 federal agencies set aside N400bn in 2026 budget for mosques, palaces, Keke Marwa

Findings by The PUNCH reveal that 78 federal ministries, departments and agencies quietly set aside nearly N400 billion in the 2026 budget for community halls, mosques, traditional rulers’ palaces, grain supply, tricycles and other projects widely criticised as having no connection to the agencies’ core mandates or Nigeria’s most pressing developmental priorities.

Nigeria is facing a healthcare crisis, crumbling infrastructure and surging insecurity. Someone in the budget office thought this was the right time to fund Ijaw musicians.

Findings by The PUNCH reveal that 78 federal ministries, departments and agencies allocated nearly N400 billion in the 2026 budget to projects ranging from community hall construction and mosque remodelling to grain supply, keke marwa distribution and the building of traditional rulers’ palaces — with more than half the sum earmarked for items bearing little or no relationship to the agencies’ statutory responsibilities.

The examples defy easy categorisation. The National Building and Road Research Institute — a Lagos-based technical body — has budget lines covering the construction of village halls in Anambra, an international market in Jigawa, traditional rulers’ palaces in Rivers State and the remodelling of five mosques across Kebbi, Ekiti and Jigawa. Total cost: over N4 billion.

The National Productivity Centre’s budget includes support for Ijaw musicians, an Emir’s palace in Yobe State, Oba palace refurbishments in Ogun State and an abattoir in Gombe. The National Mathematical Centre — Nigeria’s apex body for mathematical research — is financing a Sociology Department building at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Analysts warn the proliferation of fragmented, low-impact projects drains resources from healthcare, education, security, roads and power — sectors with measurable, transformational impact. “The opportunity cost is enormous,” experts cautioned, noting that many items also lack transparency, oversight or developmental justification.

Consultant economist and former central banker Chukwunonso Ihuma pointed the finger squarely at the legislature. “All these are down to poor oversight by the National Assembly. In most cases, they are even the ones inserting, smuggling and padding these budgets,” he said.

The affected agencies include the Ministry of Defence, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Defence Academy, Industrial Training Fund, Federal Cooperative College and dozens of others — cutting across defence, agriculture, industry and finance portfolios.

The 2026 budget is currently being implemented.