In a shocking development, sources within the Nigerian government have revealed that the Minister of Technology is alleged to have demanded N500 million from various government agencies under his ministry in exchange for securing the approval of the 2025 national budget.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claim that the Minister has been pressuring heads of technology-related government agencies to raise the significant sum, which would allegedly be used to "facilitate" the budget's passage through the National Assembly. This demand has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, with some calling it a flagrant abuse of power, while others view it as a potentially dangerous precedent for future government budget processes.
The budget, which is vital for the functioning of the country's technological advancements and infrastructure, has already been subjected to numerous delays due to the political wrangling in the government. However, these new claims are set to add fuel to the ongoing public concern over corruption within Nigerian ministries and the country’s fragile governmental systems.
"We are deeply disturbed by these allegations," said an official from the National Assembly, who wished to remain unnamed. "This kind of practice undermines the credibility of our entire budgeting process and compromises the future of key technological initiatives in the country."
In response, the Ministry of Technology has yet to officially comment on the accusations. However, high-ranking officials within the ministry have denied any knowledge of such a demand and have called for an internal investigation into the matter.
The Nigerian government has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over issues of corruption and transparency, with many calling for stronger accountability measures to safeguard public resources. If these allegations are proven true, they could add to the growing distrust in public institutions, particularly concerning how public funds are managed.