Infrastructure Development: States Received N1.6tn from FG

Between March 2024 and May 2025, state governments and the Federal Capital Territory received N1.6tn from the Federal Government to support infrastructure and security projects. The funds were disbursed as part of a special intervention programme funded through non-oil revenue savings.

According to internal documents from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, these payments were meant to address insecurity and infrastructure gaps nationwide.

Over 15 months, N1.7tn was saved, and N1.6tn was paid out. However, the documents did not specify how much each state received. Monthly disbursements, often N100bn, followed a consistent pattern, with a peak of N222bn in May 2024.

The Infrastructure Support Fund was established by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 to help states cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal. It targeted transportation, agriculture, healthcare, education, and utilities.

Critics question how the money was spent. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani said the funds failed to address infrastructure or security challenges. He blamed a lack of accountability, alleging that the money was diverted for political purposes ahead of the 2027 elections.

Rafsanjani called the situation an example of financial recklessness. He criticised the Federal and state governments for what he described as irresponsible governance and mismanagement, saying the lack of visible impact suggests the funds were not judiciously spent.

According to him, “The whole idea was probably to avoid public scrutiny. We are witnessing a scramble for public funds without accountability, with 2027 election ambitions taking precedence over people-focused development.”