Ekiti Adds N300m to Abuja Lodge Budget After Spending N470m

A review of the 2026 proposed budget for Ekiti State has revealed that the state government has allocated another N300 million for the construction of a governor and deputy governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja—despite already spending N470 million on the same project between January and September 2025.

The new allocation, uncovered through the state’s budget documents, raises fresh concerns about transparency, duplication of spending, and the prioritisation of public funds at a time when dozens of essential agencies within the state received absolutely no funding for their capital needs.

Earlier investigations by SaharaReporters into the Ekiti State Open Contracting Portal showed that a separate contract worth N320 million was awarded on October 8, 2025, for the construction of a guest house chalet within the Government House. According to documentation on the portal, the project was curiously awarded to the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol Department, rather than an independent contractor, a trend that has been repeatedly flagged by accountability advocates.

35 Government Agencies Received Zero Capital Funding

Despite the government’s continued spending on high-profile building projects for top officials, a review of the Ekiti State audited financial statement for 2024 paints a troubling picture. The report shows that 35 key government agencies received no capital funding whatsoever, despite having a combined capital budget of N3.3 billion.

Affected ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) include:

• Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

• Deputy Governor’s Office

• Ekiti State Boundary Commission

• Ekiti State Mortgage Board

• Independent Project Monitoring Office

• Office of the Public Defender

• Ekiti State Housing Corporation

• Fiscal Responsibility Commission

• Ministry of Information and Values Orientation

• Ekiti State Civil Service Commission

• Technical Adviser on Ekiti Knowledge Zone

• Ministry of Regional and Special Duties

• Ekiti State Library Board

• Teaching Service Commission

• Ekiti State College of Health Science and Technology

• Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital

• Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs

• Ministry of Local Government Affairs

…and several others.

The absence of capital funding for essential public institutions has fueled criticism, especially as the state simultaneously channels billions into projects awarded in questionable circumstances.

Contracts Worth Billions Awarded to Permanent Secretaries

In multiple procurement records previously reported by SaharaReporters, the Ekiti State Government awarded contracts worth several billions of naira directly to “Permanent Secretaries,” rather than independent contractors—a practice seen as highly irregular and ethically troubling.

Some of the notable contracts include:

• N3.3 billion for the “Supply and Installation of an Instrument Landing System” at the Ekiti State Airport Project

• N75.1 million for the procurement of an 18-seater bus and four Bajaj motorcycles

• N45 million for establishing a Standard Meteorological Station

• N281.731 million for internal electrification and transformer installation at the Cargo Airport

• N275.9 million for terminal floodlights and solar streetlights

• N280 million for extension of a 33KVA dedicated line to the airport

• N75.3 million for portacabins for a police post at the airport

• N42.9 million for additional office spaces for airline operators

• N31 million for construction of observation spots

• Two separate contracts of N1.162 billion each (totaling N2.324 billion) for airport operational equipment

All of these were listed with “Permanent Secretary” as the contractor—an anomaly that has intensified calls for a forensic audit of the state’s procurement processes.

Growing Public Pressure Over Fiscal Priorities

As Ekiti continues to invest heavily in executive lodges, airport accessories, and Government House comforts, residents and civil society groups are raising concerns about misplaced priorities. Many argue that investing in the comfort of political office holders while essential public institutions remain underfunded—and in many cases abandoned—is an affront to accountability and good governance.

Public pressure is expected to intensify as the 2026 budget moves closer to legislative approval, with stakeholders calling for greater scrutiny of how taxpayers’ money is being allocated and spent.