United States Slams Nigerian Governors Over Extravagant Spending

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria and several civic voices have condemned what they describe as reckless and misplaced spending by Nigerian leaders, especially at a time when citizens are facing severe economic hardship.

On July 29, the U.S. Mission, via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle @USinNigeria, referenced a report by The Africa Report detailing how some state governors are reportedly spending billions of naira on lavish new government houses while urging citizens to “endure hardship like labor pains.”

“While Nigerians are urged to endure economic hardship ‘like labor pains,’ some governors are splurging billions on new government houses,” the Mission posted, calling attention to a growing trend of poor fiscal discipline.

The post drew swift support and additional criticism from civil society organizations and citizens alike.
BudgIT Nigeria, known for promoting budget transparency, commented:

“Instead of funding schools, clinics, or agriculture, leaders prioritize buildings they barely use.”

CISLAC Nigeria (Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre) added:

“There is more money, little accountability, and no priority.”

Reacting to the post, by the U.S mission @PatrioticNGRN (SONOFTHUNDER) wrote, “The incompetent FCT minister claimed he wasted N39 billion on renovating the International Conference Center in Abuja and renaming it after Tinubu’s, a project that should cost a maximum of N2 billion, and claimed he spent N21 billion building a new residence for Shettima the VP — a daylight fraud and disregard of due process.”

Another Netizen, Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) wrote,“Not just governors, the key word is the GOVT, which includes politicians in both the Local, State, and Federal levels. But politicians alone can’t be blamed, foreign govts are also part of the problem for continuously borrowing the Nigerian govt money with little or no proof of accountability for the previous loans taken… Nigerian leaders spend recklessly cos they see means to keep borrowing with zero accountability.”