Eyebrows have been raised across the country after the Federal Ministry of Works proposed to spend over N500 million on activities far removed from road construction, including training of hairdressers and make-up artists, purchase of grinding machines, motorcycles, mini-vans and drug abuse sensitisation programmes in the 2026 budget.
The startling details are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill uploaded on the Budget Office website and accessed yesterday.
A review of the document shows that the allocations are spread across different geopolitical zones, with projects targeted at selected federal constituencies nationwide.
Under budget item code ERGP 12234747, the ministry earmarked N35 million for the supply of an unspecified number of grinding machines to women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in the South-South.
Another N35 million was set aside for the training and empowerment of women in hairdressing, make-up and soap-making in Mikang, Shandam and Quampan Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the North-Central zone.
In the North-East, the ministry proposed to spend N70 million on the empowerment and training of youths and seven retirees on various skills and trade equipment in Inyamaltu/Deba area of Gombe State.
The budget also shows a N70 million allocation for the supply of mini pick-up vans, mini shuttle buses and motorcycles to constituents in Abakaliki Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the South-East.
Equally listed is a proposal for the training, sensitisation, advocacy and empowerment of North-Central youths against drug abuse in Zamfara State, which is geographically located in the North-West, alongside several similar interventions.
The unusual spending items have rekindled fresh public debate over budget priorities, especially as Nigerians continue to demand better infrastructure, economic relief and accountability from government ministries.
