The National Assembly finds itself at the centre of a new Budget Padding Scandal following an investigation by BudgIT, which has uncovered a shocking inflation of the proposed budget for the Federal College of Horticultural Technology in Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State—from ₦368 million to ₦42 billion.
BudgIT Foundation, a Nigerian civic tech organisation dedicated to promoting transparency and encouraging citizen engagement for institutional reforms, has reported significant irregularities in the 2024 budget process.
The college in Northeastern Nigeria initially submitted a proposed budget of ₦368 million for the 2024 fiscal year. However, the National Assembly approved an allocation of ₦42.7 billion, resulting in a remarkable discrepancy of ₦42.332 billion—an increase of over 5,000%.
This alarming revelation was brought to light in a BudgIT social media statement on Tuesday: “From ₦368 million to ₦42.7 billion!!! For the 2024 fiscal year, the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, initially proposed ₦368 million. However, the National Assembly approved ₦42.7 billion. A difference of ₦42 billion!!! @nassnigeria, we urge you to uphold integrity during the 2025 budget review.”
Furthermore, BudgIT revealed that the additional funds were designated for 12 projects that fall outside the college’s mandate. Many of these projects, which include the supply and installation of solar streetlights, boreholes, motorcycles, and various community infrastructure, are situated far from Gombe.
Among the inserted projects were:
- Solar streetlights in constituencies across Osun, Edo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Oyo, Lagos, and Kogi States (₦1.6 billion).
- Classroom construction, boreholes, and transformer installations in federal constituencies nationwide (₦1.5 billion).
- Solar-powered boreholes in Kebbi, Oyo, Katsina, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Edo States (₦1 billion).
- Provision of mini-buses for human capital development in Saala Orile, Ibatefin, and Orelope (₦1 billion).
- Construction and furnishing of community schools in Maun and Mayigi (₦1 billion).
- Solar-powered streetlights in rural farming communities of K. Kusar/Shani federal constituency (₦600 million).
- Solar streetlights for communities in Bassa, Kogi State (₦500 million).
- Distribution of Bajaj tricycles for unemployed individuals in Lagos (₦500 million).
- Construction of solar-powered boreholes in various locations in Sokoto and Bauchi states (N495,926,518)
- Construction of classrooms in various locations in Kano State (N495,926,518)
- Supply of assorted food items for distribution as palliative across Maiduguri metropolitan federal constituency, Borno State (N200,000,000).
