N6.14bn: Imagine In A Ministry Of Agriculture, You Are Putting Money For Renovation Of Mosques -Ojo

During an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, July 23, 2026, political analyst Jide Ojo criticized the inclusion of allocations for palaces and religious projects under ministries and agencies whose core mandates, he said, have no connection with such expenditures.

Speaking during the interview, Ojo was reacting to findings by Tracka, an initiative of the BudgIT Foundation, which reported that billions of naira were earmarked in the 2026 budget for the renovation and furnishing of palaces as well as projects related to churches and mosques. The report also noted that these allocations were made at a time when sectors such as health and education are facing significant funding challenges.

According to him, “For the most part, most of the monies meant for the renovation of palaces, construction of palaces, and all of that were put under ministries, departments, and agencies that have no mandate, no statutory or constitutional mandate, to do such. Imagine in a ministry of agriculture, you are putting money for the renovation of mosques.”

Ojo argued that public funds should be tied to the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of government institutions. He said allocating resources for religious and palace-related projects through agencies whose primary responsibilities lie elsewhere raises questions about budget priorities and accountability…....