U.S. mission slams Nigerian leaders over ‘reckless spending’ amid economic hardship
The United States Mission in Nigeria has stirred nationwide debate after calling out Nigerian government officials for alleged fiscal irresponsibility amid the country’s deepening economic crisis.
In a statement posted Tuesday on its official Facebook page under the hashtag #TransparencyTuesday, the U.S. Mission cited findings from The Africa Report, which detailed how several Nigerian governors are spending billions of naira on constructing or renovating government buildings, despite widespread hardship among citizens.
“While Nigerians are tightening their belts, the same cannot be said of the ruling class,” the post stated, referencing President Bola Tinubu’s call for public sacrifice amid his economic reforms.
The report highlighted examples, including Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration reportedly approved ₦63.4 billion to renovate the Government House, and Gombe State, where Governor Inuwa Yahaya is said to be spending nearly ₦29 billion on a new residence and legislative complex — despite Gombe being among Nigeria’s poorest states.
Quoting Nigerian civic groups, the U.S. Mission underscored the criticism: BudgIT warned that funds were being diverted from vital services like education, health, and agriculture, while the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre decried “more money, little accountability, and no priority.”
The post concluded that such alleged mismanagement “fuels inequality and erodes public trust.”
The message quickly went viral, drawing applause from many Nigerians who view the U.S. Mission’s stance as a bold indictment of poor governance and misplaced priorities.
