‘N22.15bn for the palace was not budgeted; this is a blank check for corruption’, Atiku slammed the Nigerian government

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the allocation of ₦22.15 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces across Nigeria, and described the move as an aberration of the constitution.

Civil Society Organization, Tracka, part of the BudgIT Foundation, has released a document revealing that a total of N22.15 billion was allocated for the renovation and furnishing of 106 palaces across the country.

Budget documents released by Tracka on Wednesday revealed wide accountability gaps, showing that 11 palace projects worth N5.85 billion had no identified physical locations, making tracking and public oversight impossible.

Additionally, none of the 45 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) charged with the implementation of this multi-billion naira palace project has a legal or statutory mandate to construct royal structures.

Instead, the federal government funneled billions of naira earmarked for the palace through completely unrelated research institutes, agricultural colleges and specialized health facilities, and ignored oversight of procurement standards for goods and services.

Among the allocations, the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan in Oyo State was tasked with implementing a N2.661 billion project for “renovation of community halls and palaces in selected central communities in FNRP Lagos” under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, along with a N350 million project in six local government areas of Ekiti South, and a N210 million allocation in Ondo South.

Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja, was allocated N1.54 billion under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for “modernization and furnishing of some selected national heritage palaces in communities across Nigeria.”

Nigerian Building and Roads Research Institute (NBRRI), Lagos, allocated projects worth N3.92 billion, including N1 billion for pavilion and solar power at Oluyin Palace in Iyin Ekiti; N525 million for a palace hall in Ojo, Lagos; N337.13 million in Itire Ikate; N315 million for Agbana Isanlu palace in Kogi State; N315 million for Ologidi Central Palace in Ogidi; N175 million for Ootunja Palace in Ikole LGA, Ekiti State; and N140 million for the Otosho of Agbashi Palace in Nasarawa State.

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The Nigerian Agricultural Research Council was appointed to handle N750 million for the completion and furnishing of the Olu-Adde Palace in Ekinrin Adde, Akinrin Palace in Ekinrin Adde, Obaro Kabba Palace and Olujumu Palace in Iyara, Kogi State. The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOURS) allocated N700 million for palaces and offices in Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State.

National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, allocated N560 million for the Emir’s palace in Zone B, Niger State; N350 million for Etsu Nupe Palace in Bida; and N175 million in Obokun/Oriade, Osun State.

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin, secured N595 million for a palace house in the Niger Delta, and N210 million for the Olu Gbede Central Palace in Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.

Responding, Atiku who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said this constitutional violation was exacerbated by the Federal Government’s refusal to reveal the identity of the traditional rulers, the location of the project and the community where the palace was supposed to be renovated.

He noted in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear and unambiguous regarding the division of governmental responsibilities and does not assign responsibility to the Federal Government to build or renovate palaces belonging to traditional institutions.

“President Tinubu swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, not change it through the Appropriation Act. Traditional institutions are matters that fall within the constitutional competence of state and local governments. The federal budget cannot legitimately be used to assume responsibilities that the Constitution has assigned elsewhere.”

He further lamented that “The government wants Nigerians to approve ₦22.15 billion for 106 palace projects, but the government cannot identify the beneficiaries or tell the country where the palaces are. Every road, school, hospital and constituency project in the national budget has a location. Why are these projects hidden? That’s not budgeting; it’s a blank check for corruption.”

He noted that the secrecy surrounding the allocation of funds gives rise to reasonable suspicion that the projects exist only on paper and that even the traditional rulers in whose name the funds are allocated will never benefit from the projects.

“Nigerians—not politically expedient projects—must remain at the center of the national budget. Unfortunately, under Tinubu’s administration, fiscal allocations appear to have increased official corruption at the top of the public service. This explains why, despite the trillions of naira allocated since 2023, Nigerians are experiencing a worsening decline in living standards. Hunger is worsening, inflation continues to decline, insecurity persists, industry closes, and purchasing power continues to decline.”

Atiku called on the Presidency, the Budget Office and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to immediately publish a complete list of the 106 palaces, their locations, the amount allocated to each project, the constitutional basis for expenditure and the procurement process through which contracts will be awarded.