US condemns Nigerian governors for lavish spending on government houses while citizens endure harsh economic conditions due to Tinubu’s reforms
US condemns Nigerian governors for engaging in extravagant spending on government properties while millions of Nigerians continue to endure severe economic hardship.
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The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria issued a public rebuke on Tuesday, describing the lavish projects as grossly irresponsible and tone-deaf to the country’s current economic reality.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the embassy cited an investigative report that revealed how several governors were allocating billions of naira for opulent renovations and construction of government buildings, despite the widespread suffering linked to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
“While Nigerians are tightening their belts, the same cannot be said of the ruling class,” the embassy remarked, aligning itself with longstanding concerns raised by civic groups pushing for public sector accountability.
The report spotlighted the Oyo State Government’s approval of N63.4 billion for the renovation of its Government House.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration reportedly justified the project by calling the existing structure “an embarrassment.”
However, critics argue such justification is weak in the face of deepening poverty across the state.
In Gombe State, the situation was no less controversial. Governor Inuwa Yahaya allegedly approved N14.9 billion for a new governor’s residence and an additional N14.23 billion for a new House of Assembly complex.
Gombe ranks among the poorest states in Nigeria, making the scale of the spending particularly alarming to policy observers and ordinary citizens alike.
The U.S. Embassy described the expenditures as “a clear demonstration of fiscal irresponsibility.”
While Nigerians are tightening their belts, the same cannot be said of the ruling class.
It further warned that “such alleged lack of fiscal responsibility fuels inequality and erodes public trust,” noting that the continued diversion of resources toward vanity projects risks undermining national cohesion.
The embassy’s rare and strongly worded statement comes against the backdrop of painful reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
The removal of fuel subsidies, currency devaluation, and other policies aimed at liberalising the economy have resulted in soaring inflation, job losses, and a general rise in the cost of living.
For many Nigerians, the contrast between their daily struggle and the comfort of political elites is increasingly difficult to stomach.
The idea that governors are prioritising the construction of new homes and office complexes over healthcare, education, and job creation has fuelled frustration across social and economic lines.
Advocacy organisations quoted in the report stressed the need for urgent reassessment of public spending priorities at the sub-national level.
They argued that real development must focus on the well-being of citizens rather than serve as a platform for elite privilege and architectural grandeur.
“The question is simple: how do these projects serve the people?” asked a representative of a fiscal transparency watchdog.
“If citizens are going hungry, facing rising costs, and dealing with failing infrastructure, why are governors spending billions on personal residences?”
The embassy’s criticism has amplified calls for legislative oversight and civil society monitoring of state budgets. Many now view this external pressure as a necessary counterweight to unchecked executive power at state level.
As Nigeria seeks to stabilise its economy and improve investor confidence, analysts warn that public perception of government waste could deter both domestic support and foreign interest.
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The embassy’s remarks may also signal growing international concern about governance trends under current political leadership.
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