The Federal Government has allocated a total of ₦962.83 billion for the procurement of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and 2,579 empowerment projects under the 2026 Appropriation Act, an amount that exceeds the combined allocations of seven federal ministries.
According to an analysis by civic technology organisation Tracka, the allocation comprises ₦15.13 billion for the procurement of 39 SUVs and ₦947.70 billion for 2,579 empowerment projects.
Tracka said the combined allocation is higher than the ₦960.27 billion appropriated to the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Housing and Urban Development; Women Affairs; Justice; Livestock Development; Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Petroleum Resources.
The seven ministries received a combined allocation of ₦960.27 billion, with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment receiving ₦156.8 billion, Housing and Urban Development ₦145.3 billion, Women Affairs ₦169.39 billion, Justice ₦150.7 billion, Livestock Development ₦177.6 billion, Aviation and Aerospace Development ₦87.3 billion and Petroleum Resources ₦73.1 billion.
Tracka expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding many of the empowerment projects, noting that only 70 out of the 2,579 projects had clearly identified implementation locations.
The organisation questioned how citizens could track projects without stated locations, how oversight institutions could verify implementation and how taxpayers could determine the beneficiaries of the allocations.
It further disclosed that the projects were distributed among 184 implementing agencies, including institutions whose statutory mandates do not ordinarily cover empowerment programmes.
The Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, was assigned 393 projects worth ₦127.1 billion, while the National Agricultural Development Fund received six projects valued at ₦89.5 billion. The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe, was assigned 216 projects worth ₦88.1 billion, while the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, received 94 projects valued at ₦36.9 billion.
The largest single empowerment allocation identified in the budget was ₦89.09 billion for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme under the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Other major allocations include ₦14 billion for the procurement and distribution of economic empowerment equipment and utility vehicles through the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River; ₦14 billion for youth empowerment programmes under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development; and another ₦14 billion for youth empowerment and medical outreach under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The budget also contains several allocations for buses, tricycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilisers, vocational equipment, grants and other empowerment items across various agencies and regions.
While acknowledging that empowerment programmes could improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities when properly designed, Tracka warned that poorly defined initiatives could become channels for political patronage.
The organisation also raised concerns about the country’s fiscal position, noting that the 2026 budget is expected to be largely financed through borrowing. It urged the government to ensure that every naira spent produces clear development outcomes, measurable impact and value for money.
The concerns have also attracted reactions from economists and political figures, who have called for greater transparency and stronger oversight of the 2026 budget.
Professor of Economics at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sheriffdeen Tella, said empowerment spending should prioritise locally produced goods and services to ensure that public expenditure strengthens domestic production and creates jobs within Nigeria.
Another economist, Adewale Abimbola, described the spending pattern as a sign of poor fiscal prioritisation, arguing that greater emphasis should be placed on infrastructure and human capital development.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also challenged the Federal Government to explain what he described as an estimated ₦7.98 trillion oil revenue windfall, questioning why the administration continues to borrow heavily despite higher than projected crude oil prices.
Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, equally called for greater transparency, accountability and stronger legislative oversight in the management of public funds.
The controversy comes amid reports that the Federal Government has increased its 2026 borrowing plan to ₦29.2 trillion, while total spending is projected at ₦68.32 trillion against estimated revenues of ₦36.87 trillion, leaving a deficit of ₦31.46 trillion.
The debate has renewed calls for clearer project locations, identifiable beneficiaries, legally mandated implementing agencies and measurable outcomes for government funded empowerment programmes.
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