Tinubu govt allocates ₦8.05bn for mosques, churches; critics call misplaced
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has allocated ₦8.05 billion in the 2026 budget for the construction and renovation of mosques and churches nationwide, according to analyses by Tracka and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. About ₦6.14 billion is earmarked for 52 mosques and ₦1.91 billion for seven churches. Critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, argue the spending trivializes Nigeria’s poverty, insecurity and debt crisis, and call for full disclosure of beneficiary institutions, locations, implementing agencies and legal basis to prevent religion from being used as a cover for opaque budgeting. Economist David Etim of the Calabar and Gulf of Guinea Municipal and Trade Centre called the allocation a misplaced priority, saying funds would yield greater impact in schools, hospitals or industry. The Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics noted the sum is only 0.0118% of the ₦68.32 trillion budget and would barely affect the projected ₦31.45 trillion deficit, urging focus on revenue generation and debt sustainability. A PDP chieftain in Lagos claimed the move aims to fund the 2027 election and win religious votes, while ignoring the needs of traditional worshippers and atheists. The controversy highlights tensions over fiscal transparency and priorities amid rising debt, with debt service set to consume 23% of expenditure and 43% of expected revenue.