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IT’S WASTEFUL SPENDING – US EMBASSY CARPETS TINUBU GOVT OVER ASO ROCK RENOVATION
The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over what it termed wasteful spending on the renovation of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, amidst biting economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
In a post made on its verified X handle (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the US Mission referenced a report by The Africa Report, which revealed how some state governors and federal authorities were allegedly spending billions of naira on luxury government buildings while citizens continue to grapple with soaring inflation and basic service collapse.
“While Nigerians are urged to endure economic hardship ‘like labour pains,’ some governors are splurging billions on new government houses,” the embassy wrote, referencing the exposé.
Citing further analysis from civic organisations, the US Mission tagged BudgIT Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), who jointly condemned the pattern of fiscal recklessness among Nigerian leaders.
BudgIT noted that rather than invest in essential sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture, Nigerian leaders are prioritising expensive building projects that serve little public value.
“Instead of funding schools, clinics, or agriculture, leaders prioritise buildings they barely use,” BudgIT warned.
Echoing this concern, CISLAC lamented what it described as a disturbing trend of increasing national revenue without accountability or impactful allocation.
“There is more money, little accountability, and no priority,” the organisation stated, suggesting that mismanagement of funds was fast becoming the norm.
The US Mission concluded that such an apparent lack of fiscal discipline continues to deepen inequality and erode public confidence in governance structures.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
