Atiku, Others Criticise Tinubu’s ₦8.05bn Allocation For Churches, Mosques

The Federal Government’s decision to allocate ₦8.05 billion in the 2026 budget for the construction and renovation of churches and mosques has continued to generate widespread criticism, with opposition figures, economists and civil society groups questioning the priority and transparency of the expenditure.

According to budget analysis by public accountability platform Tracka, about ₦6.14 billion was earmarked for mosque-related projects, while ₦1.91 billion was allocated to church-related projects.

Among those who criticised the allocation is former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who described the spending as inappropriate at a time many Nigerians are battling economic hardship.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that while religion remains important in national life, it should not be used to shield public spending from scrutiny.

He questioned why many of the budget items allegedly failed to clearly identify the beneficiary churches, mosques, project locations and implementing agencies, making independent verification difficult.

Atiku challenged the Tinubu administration to publish the names of all beneficiary institutions, project locations, implementing agencies and the legal basis for the allocations if the projects were genuine.

He warned that failure to provide such details could reinforce public concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

Project Lead of the Calabar and Gulf of Guinea Municipal and Trade Centre, David Etim, also criticised the allocation, describing it as a misplaced priority.

According to him, government resources should be directed toward schools, hospitals, industries and programmes capable of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty rather than funding religious projects.

Etim argued that investing in healthcare, education and other essential public services would have a greater impact on citizens’ lives than constructing or renovating places of worship.

The Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics (AERE) also reacted, saying while the allocation had attracted public attention, Nigeria’s growing fiscal deficit and debt burden remained far more serious concerns.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Kelvin Oye, the organisation noted that the ₦8.05 billion allocation represents only about 0.0118 per cent of the proposed ₦68.32 trillion 2026 budget and would have little effect on the projected ₦31.45 trillion deficit if removed.

However, the group questioned why religious projects appeared in the budgets of ministries that do not have direct responsibility for such activities, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Labour, and Marine and Blue Economy, arguing that the practice weakens transparency and accountability.

The organisation called on the government to focus on improving revenue generation, strengthening fiscal discipline and directing public spending toward infrastructure and economic development.

Also reacting, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Lanre Adebowale alleged that the allocation was politically motivated, claiming it could be aimed at building support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He questioned why only churches and mosques were included in the allocation in a multi-religious country, asking whether followers of other faiths would benefit from similar government support.

Adebowale further argued that Nigerians are more concerned about insecurity, unemployment, healthcare and the rising cost of living than the construction or renovation of places of worship.