ActionAid Urges Tinubu, Governors to Cut Wasteful Spending, Invest in Education, Healthcare

ActionAid Nigeria is calling for a fundamental shift in public spending, urging the federal and state governments to redirect funds away from "prestige projects" and government luxuries towards investments that directly benefit citizens. The organization emphasized that Nigeria's limited resources should prioritize sectors with the greatest social impact, particularly education and healthcare.

This call follows President Bola Tinubu's recent directive to state governors, advising them to cease constructing unnecessary flyovers in areas lacking traffic congestion and instead concentrate on projects addressing citizens' needs. ActionAid Nigeria's Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, stated that the president's remarks should initiate a national discussion on public finance, advocating for people-centered development over projects chosen for political visibility.

While acknowledging the importance of infrastructure, ActionAid pointed to a pattern of public expenditure that often favors visible projects over the welfare of citizens. With millions facing economic hardship, the organization stressed that every naira of public funds must deliver measurable benefits. ActionAid specifically urged governments to review spending on projects with limited public value, including excessive travel, luxury acquisitions, and opaque discretionary expenditures.

ActionAid cited figures from the Budget Office of the Federation, noting a proposed combined budget of ₦9.36 billion for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2026 for local and foreign travel, food, and refreshments. The organization observed that this figure likely excludes additional costs captured by other agencies. ActionAid estimated that halving this allocation could free approximately ₦4.68 billion, enough to fund around 62 three-classroom school blocks or 208 solar-powered boreholes, based on government project cost data.

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This is not merely a question of reducing expenditure; it is about changing national priorities. Every unnecessary luxury purchase represents classrooms that were never built. Every unjustifiable trip represents medicines that never reached a primary healthcare centre.