In the first three months of 2024, 30 state governments across Nigeria spent a staggering N968.64 billion on recurrent expenditures, including costs for refreshments, sitting allowances, travel, utilities, and other administrative expenses.
An analysis of budget implementation reports from the states revealed the alarming scale of this spending. The data, obtained from the Open Nigerian States website, showed that states shelled out billions on items like:
N5.1 billion on refreshments for guests
N4.67 billion on sitting allowances for government officials
N34.63 billion on local and foreign travel expenses
N5.64 billion on utility bills
Additionally, the states paid N405.77 billion in salaries to their workers during this period.
Financial experts have raised concerns about the high levels of recurrent expenditure at the state level, emphasizing the need for greater fiscal responsibility and a focus on productive, revenue-generating investments.
“Many states have yet to fully develop their economic potential and attract the necessary investments,” said development economist Aliyu Ilias. “Governors need to identify their areas of strength and create the right policies and platforms to draw in private capital.”
Professor Segun Ajibola of Babcock University lamented the “enduring problem of high governance expenses” at the state level, noting that inadequate oversight and accountability have prevented meaningful economic benefits from reaching citizens.
As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, there are growing calls for state governments to rein in their recurrent spending and channel more resources towards infrastructure, public services, and initiatives that can drive sustainable development.
