ABUJA, Nigeria; The Federal Government has allocated ₦962.83 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the procurement of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and the implementation of empowerment projects, according to an analysis by civic technology organisation, Tracka.
The analysis revealed that ₦15.13 billion was earmarked for the purchase of 39 SUVs, while ₦947.70 billion was budgeted for 2,579 empowerment projects across the country.
Tracka noted that the combined allocation exceeds the ₦960.27 billion total budgets of seven federal ministries, including the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Housing and Urban Development; Women Affairs; Justice; Livestock Development; Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Petroleum Resources.
The organisation expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding many of the empowerment projects, stating that only 70 out of the 2,579 projects have clearly identified implementation locations.
According to Tracka, the absence of specific project locations could undermine public accountability and make it difficult for citizens and oversight agencies to monitor implementation effectively.
The group also disclosed that the projects were distributed across 184 implementing agencies, including several institutions whose statutory mandates do not traditionally cover large-scale empowerment programmes.
Among the largest allocations, the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, received 393 projects worth ₦127.1 billion, while the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) was assigned six projects valued at ₦89.5 billion.
Similarly, the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State, received 216 projects worth ₦88.1 billion, while the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, was allocated 94 projects valued at ₦36.9 billion.
The largest single empowerment allocation is ₦89.09 billion for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme under the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Other notable allocations include:
– ₦14 billion for the procurement and distribution of economic empowerment equipment and utility vehicles.
– ₦14 billion for youth empowerment programmes under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
– ₦14 billion for youth empowerment and medical outreach through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The budget also provides funding for the distribution of buses, motorcycles, tricycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilisers, vocational equipment, grants and other empowerment materials.
Tracka questioned the scale of the allocations in light of Nigeria’s widening fiscal deficit and increasing reliance on borrowing.
According to the organisation, the 2026 budget carries a projected deficit of about 46 percent, while planned government borrowing has risen to ₦29.20 trillion.
The group stressed that every public expenditure should have clearly defined objectives, measurable outcomes, identifiable beneficiaries and transparent implementation processes.
Economic experts have also expressed concerns over the government’s spending priorities.
Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, warned that rising debt levels could threaten Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability if borrowing continues unchecked.
Professor Sheriffdeen Tella of Olabisi Onabanjo University urged the government to ensure empowerment programmes focus on locally produced goods to stimulate domestic industries, create jobs and retain economic value within Nigeria.
Similarly, economist Adewale Abimbola argued that greater investment in infrastructure and human capital development would deliver more sustainable economic benefits than poorly targeted empowerment initiatives.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also questioned the government’s continued borrowing despite higher-than-projected crude oil revenues, calling for greater transparency in the management of public finances.
Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank urged the National Assembly to strengthen oversight of budget implementation to ensure prudent management of public resources.
Stakeholders have continued to call for improved transparency, accountability and effective monitoring to ensure public funds are utilised for measurable national development outcomes.
