The United States Embassy in Nigeria has raised serious concerns over the spending habits of some Nigerian state governors, accusing them of extravagance and poor management of public funds.
In a report shared on Tuesday, the embassy highlighted that many governors have been allocating huge sums of money towards the construction and renovation of government houses, even as millions of Nigerians face severe economic difficulties.
While President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to endure the current economic challenges brought about by government policies, the report suggests that some governors have not been sharing the burden of sacrifice.
For instance, in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde approved a staggering ₦63.4 billion for the renovation of the Government House.
According to the governor, the existing facility was embarrassing and unfit to serve as the official residence.
Similarly, in Gombe State, one of Nigeria’s poorest regions, Governor Inuwa Yahaya committed nearly ₦15 billion for the construction of a new, ultra-modern government residence. In addition, the state is spending over ₦14 billion on a new House of Assembly complex.
The US Embassy condemned these actions on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, emphasizing that such reckless spending undermines public trust and increases inequality across the country.
Transparency and accountability groups also echoed these concerns, warning that the misuse of public funds contributes to widening the gap between the ruling class and ordinary citizens.
“This kind of fiscal irresponsibility fuels inequality and erodes public confidence in government institutions,” the embassy wrote.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs, critics argue that the governors’ lavish spending on government estates is both inappropriate and unjustifiable.
Many citizens feel that these funds could be better used to improve essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
The report by the US Embassy has reignited discussions about governance and the need for more prudent management of public resources to ensure that all Nigerians benefit fairly from the country’s wealth.
