The Federal Government has set aside N962.83 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for empowerment programmes and the purchase of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), a figure that exceeds the combined budgets of seven federal ministries, according to an analysis by civic technology organisation, Tracka.
Tracka’s review of the budget showed that N947.70 billion was allocated to 2,579 empowerment projects, while N15.13 billion was budgeted for the procurement of 39 SUVs, bringing the total allocation to N962.83 billion.
The organisation noted that the amount is higher than the combined N960.27 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.
According to the analysis, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment received N156.8 billion, Housing and Urban Development N145.3 billion, Women Affairs N169.39 billion, Justice N150.7 billion, Livestock Development N177.6 billion, Aviation and Aerospace Development N87.3 billion, while Petroleum Resources was allocated N73.1 billion.
Transparency concerns
Tracka expressed reservations over what it described as poor transparency in the implementation of many of the empowerment projects.
The organisation revealed that only 70 out of the 2,579 projects had clearly identified locations.
“Yet, only 70 of the 2,579 empowerment projects have clearly identified implementation locations,” the organisation stated.
It questioned how citizens and oversight agencies could effectively monitor projects without designated locations.
“How can citizens track projects with no stated location? How can oversight institutions verify implementation? How can taxpayers know who ultimately benefits from these allocations?” it asked.
The organisation also observed that the projects were distributed across 184 implementing agencies, including institutions whose statutory responsibilities do not ordinarily include empowerment programmes.
Among the agencies, the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, was assigned 393 projects valued at N127.1 billion, while the National Agricultural Development Fund received six projects worth N89.5 billion. The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, was allocated 216 projects valued at N88.1 billion, while the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, received 94 projects worth N36.9 billion.
A review of the budget indicates that the single largest allocation is N89.09 billion for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme under the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Other notable allocations include N14 billion for the procurement and distribution of empowerment equipment and utility vehicles through the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River; another N14 billion for youth empowerment programmes under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development; and N14 billion for youth empowerment and medical outreach under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The budget also contains allocations for buses, tricycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilisers, vocational equipment, grants and other empowerment items across various agencies.
While acknowledging that empowerment initiatives can improve livelihoods when properly executed, Tracka warned that poorly designed programmes often become instruments of political patronage.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with empowerment programmes. When well-designed and transparently implemented, they can improve livelihoods, create economic opportunities and support vulnerable Nigerians,” the organisation said.
It, however, argued that projects without clear locations, transparent beneficiary selection processes or appropriate implementing agencies undermine accountability and public confidence.
Borrowing worries
Tracka linked its concerns to the Federal Government’s growing reliance on borrowing to finance the 2026 budget.
It noted that the budget is expected to be funded with a deficit of about 46 per cent, urging the government to prioritise investments that deliver measurable development outcomes.
“This concern is even more pressing given that the 2026 Budget is projected to be financed with a deficit of about 46 per cent. At a time when government is borrowing heavily to fund public expenditure, every naira should be directed toward investments with clear development outcomes, measurable impact and value for money,” it stated.
The organisation also called for improved transparency in future budget preparation and implementation, insisting that every budget item should have a clearly defined purpose, location, implementing agency, identifiable beneficiaries and measurable outcomes.
Borrowing plan rises
The concerns come as the Federal Government recently increased its 2026 borrowing plan to N29.20 trillion, up from the earlier projection of N17.89 trillion following an expansion of the proposed budget.
The revised fiscal framework projects total expenditure of N68.32 trillion against expected revenues of N36.87 trillion, leaving a deficit of N31.46 trillion.
Data from the Debt Management Office also indicate that the Federal Government raised N5.08 trillion from the domestic bond market in the first half of 2026, representing a 77.8 per cent increase from the N2.86 trillion raised during the corresponding period in 2025.