A federal lawmaker has exposed that Nigerian Senators and House of Representatives members now receive significantly increased allocations for constituency projects, with Senators pocketing no less than N2 billion and Representatives at least N1 billion each. This rise in funds reportedly followed the removal of the fuel subsidy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at a public event in Osun State, the unnamed lawmaker revealed that since the subsidy removal, the budget for constituency projects has been substantially padded. He stated that prior to this, lawmakers received much smaller amounts, but the increment began last year and has become the norm. “There is no Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with constituency projects less than N2 billion,” he said, adding that the funds are not personal but public money allocated for projects in their constituencies.
This disclosure has sparked renewed outrage over the deepening culture of corruption and lack of transparency within Nigeria’s legislative spending. Constituency projects, intended to bring development to local communities, have long been criticized for being avenues of budget padding, with many contracts awarded to cronies, inflated, or left incomplete.
Despite trillions of naira allocated since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, many communities remain deprived of basic infrastructure such as water, schools, and health facilities. Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians continue to face economic hardship exacerbated by inflation and the removal of subsidies, while lawmakers enjoy large, opaque allocations.
The revelation adds to ongoing public scrutiny of Nigeria’s 2025 budget, which saw a significant increase to ₦54.99 trillion, including substantial capital expenditure and legislative funding. The National Assembly recently defended an additional N170 billion allocation, citing the need to keep pace with overall budget growth and fulfill its oversight functions.
Critics argue that such increases in legislative spending come at a time when many Nigerians are struggling, calling for greater accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. The lawmaker’s statement underscores concerns about governance and the widening gap between political elites and the populace.
