July 22, 2026
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has allocated ₦22.15 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Budget for the construction, renovation, and furnishing of 106 royal palaces across Nigeria, according to budget documents reviewed by public accountability organisation, Tracka.
The allocations have drawn public attention after Tracka reported that 11 palace projects, valued at ₦5.85 billion, have no clearly identified locations, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and effective public oversight.
According to the budget analysis, a total of 45 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been designated to execute the projects. Several of the agencies listed, including research institutes, agricultural institutions, science establishments, and health agencies, do not traditionally oversee the construction of royal palaces.
The report noted that palace projects have been distributed across several states and assigned to agencies with mandates unrelated to traditional infrastructure, prompting questions about the implementation process and adherence to statutory responsibilities.
The development comes as Nigeria faces a projected ₦31.45 trillion fiscal deficit in the 2026 budget, with many stakeholders calling for increased investment in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, and public infrastructure.
Tracka urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure that public spending aligns with constitutional responsibilities and institutional mandates, while public policy analysts have also called for greater transparency in the execution of the projects.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not issued an official response to the concerns raised over the palace allocations.
The revelations have continued to generate nationwide debate, with citizens and civil society groups demanding greater accountability and prudent management of public funds.
