2026 Budget: Tracka Queries N962.83bn Budget for SUVs, Empowerment Projects Over Transparency Concerns

The civic technology organisation, Tracka, has questioned the Federal Government’s proposed N962.83 billion budget for SUVs and empowerment projects, saying the allocation raises concerns over transparency, accountability and spending priorities in the proposed 2026 Appropriation Bill.

In an analysis of the 2026 budget proposal, Tracka said the government earmarked N15.13 billion for the procurement of 39 sport utility vehicles (SUVs), while N947.7 billion was allocated to 2,579 empowerment projects across the country.

Combined, the allocation amounts to N962.83 billion, exceeding the total budgets proposed for seven federal ministries.

According to the organisation, the allocation is larger than the combined budgets of the Ministries of Trade and Investment, Housing, Women Affairs, Justice, Livestock Development, Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Petroleum.

Tracka said the spending pattern raises questions about the government’s fiscal priorities at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with economic pressures, infrastructure deficits and growing social welfare needs.

A major concern highlighted by the organisation is the limited information provided for the proposed empowerment projects.

Tracka said that of the 2,579 empowerment projects listed in the budget, only 70 contain clearly identifiable implementation locations.

The organisation argued that the absence of project locations would make it difficult for citizens, oversight institutions and anti-corruption agencies to monitor implementation or verify whether public funds are used for their intended purposes.

It noted that transparency remains critical to ensuring value for money in public expenditure.

According to the analysis, many of the empowerment projects are assigned to agencies whose statutory mandates do not directly include the implementation of empowerment programmes.

The projects are reportedly spread across 184 federal agencies, with some institutions receiving substantial allocations despite having responsibilities unrelated to social intervention schemes.

Tracka identified one river basin development authority as overseeing 393 projects valued at N127.1 billion, while the National Agricultural Development Fund was allocated N89.5 billion for six projects.

Another state development agency was assigned 216 projects worth N88.1 billion, while a separate government agency is expected to implement 94 projects valued at N36.9 billion.

While acknowledging that empowerment programmes can improve livelihoods and reduce poverty when properly implemented, Tracka warned that poorly designed initiatives could become channels for political patronage instead of delivering measurable benefits to citizens.

The organisation stressed that projects funded with public resources should include clear implementation locations, transparent beneficiary selection processes and be executed by agencies with the legal mandate and technical capacity to manage such programmes.

It warned that failure to strengthen transparency could further weaken public confidence in government spending.

Tracka also noted that the proposed 2026 budget is expected to record a fiscal deficit of about 46 per cent, meaning part of government expenditure will be financed through additional borrowing.

According to the organisation, the country’s fiscal position makes it more important for every budget allocation to demonstrate measurable economic and social impact.

It maintained that prudent public spending and stronger accountability mechanisms are essential to ensuring borrowed funds translate into tangible development outcomes.

The Federal Government has yet to publicly respond to Tracka’s observations on the proposed allocations.