Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, Nigeria — Fresh controversy has emerged over the Federal Ministry of Works’ proposed 2026 budget allocations after details showed that the ministry plans to spend more than ₦500 million on empowerment initiatives — including training for hairdressers and make‑up artists, the supply of grinding machines, motorcycles, mini‑vans and anti‑drug abuse sensitisation programmes — despite its core mandate being focused on infrastructure development.
The details, drawn from the 2026 Appropriation Bill uploaded by the Budget Office of the Federation, reveal that the controversial expenditures are distributed across various constituency‑based projects in different geopolitical zones of the country.
Under budget item code ERGP 12234747, the ministry earmarked ₦35 million for the supply of an unspecified number of grinding machines to women in the Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in Delta State (South‑South). Another ₦35 million was proposed for the training and empowerment of women in hairdressing, make‑up artistry and soap making in the Mikang/Shandam/Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency in Plateau State (North‑Central).
Other allocations include ₦70 million for empowerment and skills acquisition for youths, women and retirees in Inyamaltu/Deba, Gombe State (North‑East), as well as ₦70 million for the supply of mini pick‑up vans, mini shuttle buses and motorcycles to constituents in the Abakaliki Federal Constituency (Ebonyi State, South‑East). A further portion was designated for training, sensitisation and anti‑drug abuse advocacy targeting youth groups in Zamfara State (North‑West).
The total sum of these constituency‑level empowerment and social intervention items is estimated at over ₦500 million, a figure that has prompted debate among lawmakers, analysts and civil society advocates. Critics argue that such programmes fall outside the traditional remit of the Ministry of Works — whose primary responsibility is federal road construction and maintenance — and are better suited to other ministries tasked with social welfare, youth development and vocational training.
Commentators have also flagged wider concerns about the practice of embedding non‑core “empowerment” and constituency‑focused projects into the budgets of ministries with unrelated mandates, warning that such inclusions can complicate accountability and dilute focus on essential infrastructure delivery. At a time when Nigeria grapples with deteriorating roads, bridges and public works, they argue, scarce public funds should be prioritised for capital projects with clear national impact.
Defenders of the allocations say the empowerment initiatives could have a community development impact, complementing physical infrastructure by stimulating local economic activity. They frame the training and equipment distribution as part of broader efforts to create jobs and address youth unemployment. However, this perspective has not alleviated all concerns about institutional mandate alignment.
The inclusion of anti‑drug abuse sensitisation and advocacy in the Works Ministry’s budget has drawn particular scrutiny. Anti‑drug campaigns are typically led by agencies focused on health, education and social welfare or the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, prompting calls for clearer policy coordination and institutional responsibility.
The controversy arises against the backdrop of the N58.18 trillion 2026 federal budget presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025, which underscores a broader fiscal focus on ward‑based development and inclusive growth. Government planners have emphasised macroeconomic stability, job creation and human capital development as core themes for the 2026 budget cycle.
As lawmakers review the Appropriation Bill, the Works Ministry’s proposed empowerment allocations are expected to feature in budget defence sessions. Members of the National Assembly retain the power to amend or remove items they deem inappropriate, and these line items could face tougher scrutiny amid calls for stricter budget discipline and clearer definitions of ministerial roles.
Public interest groups and budget analysts have urged greater transparency in budget planning and stronger oversight to ensure that allocations align with institutional mandates and deliver tangible outcomes for citizens. They argue that reducing duplicative and non‑priority spending will be essential to maximising the impact of limited public resources in the face of fiscal constraints and pressing national needs.
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