In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, a federal lawmaker has exposed what he describes as widespread budget padding and misuse of public funds under the guise of "constituency projects." According to the lawmaker, since the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in 2023, individual Nigerian Senators have allegedly secured at least N2 billion each, while members of the House of Representatives reportedly receive N1 billion each in budget allocations hidden as constituency projects.
The disclosure raises fresh concerns over transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the country’s legislative budgeting process. The lawmaker, who requested anonymity due to fear of political backlash, claims that the so-called constituency projects are often inflated or ghost initiatives that deliver little or no tangible benefit to citizens.
“Since the subsidy was removed, there has been a surge in the funds allocated to lawmakers through opaque budget lines. These are not real projects. They are personal enrichment schemes disguised as development,” the lawmaker alleged.
The claims have sparked renewed calls from civil society groups and anti-corruption watchdogs for a thorough audit of the 2024 and 2025 national budgets. Critics argue that while Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of rising living costs due to the subsidy removal, political elites appear to be enriching themselves from the same fiscal reforms.
The Tinubu administration had justified the subsidy removal as a necessary step to curb waste and free up funds for infrastructure and social programs. However, this latest revelation casts a shadow over the effectiveness and sincerity of such reforms.
Prominent advocacy groups, including BudgIT and SERAP, have called on anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC to investigate these claims urgently and ensure that any culprits are held accountable.