Federal Workers Condemn Proposed ₦22.15bn Allocation for Presidential Residences, Urge Government to Prioritise Citizens' Welfare
By The Analyst Online Media
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has criticised the Federal Government over the proposed allocation of ₦22.15 billion for the renovation and construction of presidential and vice-presidential residences, describing the expenditure as insensitive amid worsening economic hardship across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the workers' group expressed concern over what it called the government's misplaced spending priorities at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with rising food prices, unemployment, inflation and declining living standards.
According to the Forum, the proposed allocation for official residences contrasts sharply with the harsh realities confronting ordinary citizens, many of whom struggle daily to afford basic necessities.
The group urged the President Bola Tinubu administration to redirect public resources towards sectors that directly impact the welfare of Nigerians, including healthcare, education, agriculture, job creation, security and critical infrastructure.
"The government must demonstrate fiscal responsibility by prioritising projects that improve the lives of citizens rather than embarking on expensive renovations and construction of official residences," the statement said.
The workers maintained that public office should be driven by service and accountability, not luxury, arguing that government officials ought to make sacrifices during periods of economic difficulty.
The Forum also called on the National Assembly to subject the proposed expenditure to rigorous legislative scrutiny and ensure that public funds are deployed transparently and in the national interest.
It warned that continued spending on what it described as "non-essential projects" could further erode public confidence in government, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are demanding greater accountability in the management of public resources.
The criticism comes amid growing public debate over government spending and calls from civil society organisations, labour unions and economic analysts for stricter fiscal discipline in the face of Nigeria's economic challenges.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by the Federal Workers Forum regarding the proposed budget allocation.