Nigeria’s Federal Agencies Allocate Over N206 bn to Projects Outside Their Mandates

An analysis of Nigeria’s 2026 Appropriation Act shows that 16 federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) received a combined N205.96 billion for projects that fall outside their statutory responsibilities. The off‑mandate spending accounts for a large share of several agencies’ budgets, with some dedicating more than 70 % of their total allocations to unrelated activities. Notable examples include the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), which earmarked N17.78 bn—91.98 % of its N19.34 bn budget—for solar streetlights, motorcycle distribution and classroom construction; the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), allocating N10.40 bn—87.47 % of its N11.89 bn budget—to roads, electricity and school renovations; and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), spending N59.12 bn—83.24 % of its N71.03 bn allocation—on roads, bridges and health infrastructure. Other agencies with substantial off‑mandate allocations include NEPAD (71.9 % of N17.71 bn), the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (47.71 % of N67.29 bn), the Industrial Arbitration Panel (31.67 % of N44.95 bn), the Centre for Management Development (27.35 % of N45.92 bn), the National Commission for Almajiri and Out‑of‑School Children Education (≈29 % of N29.4 bn), the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (≈48 % of N18.01 bn) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (N7.75 bn for solar projects). The report raises concerns about the growing practice of using government agencies to execute constituency and infrastructure projects unrelated to their core mandates.

The Federal Government has also highlighted a N720 billion funding gap in the 2025 health sector Annual Operational Plan, calling for stronger domestic resource mobilisation to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. (This separate health financing issue is not part of the off‑mandate spending story.)