No fewer than 30 state governments of the federation reportedly spent billions of naira on recurrent expenditures, which include refreshments, sitting allowances, traveling, and utilities, in the first three months of 2024.
According to reports from Open Nigerian States, a platform supported by BudgIT, the states’ budget implementation data were analyzed, revealing significant recurrent spending.
The breakdown of the expenses indicated that the state governments collectively spent N5.1 billion on refreshments for guests, N4.67 billion on sitting allowances, N34.63 billion on local and foreign travel expenses, and N5.64 billion on utility bills, amounting to a total of N50.02 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
These utility bills encompassed electricity, internet, telephone charges, water rates, and sewerage charges, among others.
Additionally, the sub-national governments disbursed billions as salaries to their workers and covered other recurrent spending items such as internet access fees, entertainment, foodstuff, honorarium/sitting allowance, wardrobe allowances, telephone bills, electricity charges, stationery, anniversaries/special days, welfare, and aircraft maintenance, among others.
Examining individual states, it was reported that Abia State spent N10.92 billion on its recurrent expenditures, including substantial amounts on refreshments, utilities, sitting allowances, and local and foreign travels.
Notably, Adamawa State disbursed N23.7 billion, Akwa Ibom State N46.85 billion, and Anambra State N9.91 billion for recurring expenses.
Similarly, other states like Bauchi, Bayelsa, Lagos, Borno, Cross Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Zamfara, and Taraba also had significant recurrent expenditure in the same period.
This notable spending by the state governments has prompted increased scrutiny and concerns from financial experts.
Aliyu Ilias, a development economist, emphasized the need for states to focus on developing themselves to attract investments.
He urged governors to identify areas of strength that could be leveraged to attract foreign investments, especially as government spending continues to draw attention in the face of the country’s economic challenges.
