N1bn for Celebrations, N2bn for New Complex: Borno Lawmakers’ Budget Sparks Outrage Amid Hunger and Insecurity

Fresh details from Borno State’s approved 2026 budget have triggered public anger after it emerged that lawmakers plan to spend a staggering ₦1 billion on Independence Day and Democracy Day celebrations, despite worsening insecurity, mass displacement and deepening hunger across the state.

A review of the budget document by SaharaReporters shows that the allocation is domiciled under the House of Assembly’s expenditure for the 2026 fiscal year. In the same budget, lawmakers also earmarked ₦2 billion for the construction of a “new main Assembly complex.”

Beyond ceremonial spending, the legislature approved ₦200 million for the purchase of three 150KVA generators, further fuelling criticism over priorities at a time many communities lack basic services.

The controversial allocations come against the backdrop of other eyebrow-raising government expenditures already reported in the state. Earlier, SaharaReporters revealed that the Borno State Government set aside ₦150 million to feed sheep and goats kept within the Government House.

According to the budget breakdown, the animals’ feeding would cost an average of ₦410,958 daily — about ₦2.8 million weekly — under an item described as “general purchase of feeding for various sheep and goat within the Government House.” An additional ₦50 million was also budgeted for kitchen equipment for the Government House.

Spending priorities questioned

The new revelations have reignited debate over Borno’s fiscal priorities, especially when placed alongside previous budget figures. A review of the state’s 2025 budget performance showed that ₦4.3 billion was spent on “livelihood support for repentant Boko Haram members,” with ₦1.6 billion disbursed in just the last quarter of the year.

In comparison, the total capital expenditure of the Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board for the entire 2025 fiscal year stood at ₦2 billion — less than half of what was spent on the reintegration programme. The Borno State University Teaching Hospital received ₦2.7 billion, while the Hospital Management Board got ₦3.1 billion, both still lower than the amount spent on rehabilitating former insurgents.

Between January and September 2024 alone, the state reportedly spent ₦3.45 billion on livelihood support under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme for repentant Boko Haram members.

Crisis deepens on the ground

These spending plans come as Borno continues to battle severe security and humanitarian challenges in early 2026. Insurgent attacks remain frequent, particularly in rural and border communities, forcing repeated displacement and worsening hunger and malnutrition.

Although the military has recorded recent successes, including the destruction of terrorist camps and the rescue of captives, millions of residents remain in urgent need of food, healthcare and protection.

For many observers, the contrast between billion-naira celebrations and the daily reality of insecurity, displacement and hunger has raised troubling questions about governance, accountability and the true cost of political comfort in one of Nigeria’s most troubled states.

SOURCE : SaharaReporters