In a notable move, the presiding officers of Nigeria’s National Assembly—including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu—have been allocated a staggering N10 billion for rent and furniture in the 2024 supplementary budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This budget, amounting to N288 billion, was presented by President Bola Tinubu in September and passed by lawmakers within five days.
The budget item, categorized as “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly,” raises concerns about the appropriateness of such expenditures, especially given the current economic challenges facing Nigeria. With many citizens suffering from inflation and economic hardship, the allocation for these officials stands in stark contrast to the needs of the populace.
This recent allocation is part of a broader trend of substantial allowances for government officials, with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike previously approving N21 billion for a residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima and N25 billion for housing construction for judges. Critics argue that this reflects a pattern of lavish spending within the government, even while austerity measures are imposed on ordinary Nigerians.
The presiding officers, who represent both chambers of the bicameral legislature, are the latest in a series of officials to benefit from generous accommodation allowances. The National Assembly has seen its budget grow significantly in recent years, reaching N344 billion in the current fiscal cycle—the highest ever. Many question why the legislature does not utilize these substantial funds to cover the costs of their own accommodations.
Historically, the presiding officers were housed at legislative quarters in Abuja, which were sold off under a monetization policy initiated during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. Despite plans for new housing projects initiated in previous administrations, construction has stalled, leading to a reliance on rented accommodations.
The allocation for rent and furniture has sparked numerous questions: What specific types of rent and furniture are included? Why is the FCT responsible for these expenses when the National Assembly has its own budget? And why allocate N10 billion for these costs when existing housing projects for these officials remain unfinished?
In response to these concerns, attempts to seek clarification through a Freedom of Information request to the FCT Ministry have gone unanswered. This lack of transparency has become a recurring issue under Wike’s administration, with past requests for information similarly ignored.
Comparatively, the N10 billion set aside for the four presiding officers dwarfs allocations for broader housing initiatives. For instance, the federal government has proposed N11.5 billion for the construction of 20,000 housing units under its Renewed Hope Agenda Housing Scheme, which would benefit far more citizens than the singular benefit provided to the National Assembly’s leadership.
As public scrutiny continues regarding the use of government funds, this latest expenditure raises significant concerns about accountability and the prioritization of public resources in Nigeria.
