Nigerian Politicians Urge Citizens to Endure, but are Lavishing Billions on Mansions, Luxury Cars – US Breaks Silence

The United States embassy in Nigeria has criticized Nigerian politicians for urging citizens to endure economic hardship while spending billions on government mansions, luxury cars, and lavish renovations.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has drawn attention to a report exposing how state governors are spending billions of naira on building and renovating government houses despite the country’s worsening economic crisis.

Sharing the publication on its official X handle, the embassy amplified the report by The Africa Report titled, “Nigeria’s ruling class splashes billions on government houses,” which featured reactions from transparency and accountability advocacy groups.

While President Bola Tinubu has urged citizens to endure economic hardships caused by his administration’s policies, the report noted that some state governors appear disconnected from the suffering of the masses.

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The report revealed:

• Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved ₦63.4 billion to renovate the government house, describing the existing structure as “an embarrassment.”
• Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya allocated ₦14.9 billion for a new ultra-modern residence in one of Nigeria’s poorest states.
• An additional ₦14.23 billion was committed to building a new House of Assembly complex.

Transparency groups condemned the lavish spending as insensitive, stressing that public funds should prioritize critical infrastructure and poverty alleviation instead of luxury projects for politicians.