January 30, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | Investigations
Niger State Government spent ₦1.6 billion on what it described as “executive tables and chairs” for government guest houses within just nine months in 2025, despite widespread shortages in water supply and the near collapse of primary healthcare facilities across the state.
A review of Niger State budget documents by SUNTV Global Channel shows that the expenditure was made between January and September 2025.
The budget line item reads: “Provision of 28 nos Executive Tables and Chairs for additional 17 no Guest Houses behind Government House.”
Despite the already massive spending, the state has allocated an additional ₦1.5 billion for the same purpose in the 2026 fiscal year.
This comes on the heels of another ₦3.7 billion spent on the construction of nine government guest houses in Minna between January and September 2025. Budget documents further reveal that ₦2.1 billion has been approved for more guest house construction in 2026.
Water Sector Starved Of Funds
While billions were channelled into guest houses and furnishings, critical social services received minimal or no funding.
Only ₦352 million was spent on capital expenditure for the Ministry of Water Resources within the same nine-month period. Even more alarming, the Niger State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency recorded zero naira in capital expenditure.
This is despite persistent reports that many communities in the state lack access to clean drinking water. Residents in some areas reportedly rely on rivers and streams already shared with cattle, exposing them to water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea.
A resident told SUNTV Global Channel that, “People drink from the same water cows use. There is no alternative.”
Healthcare In Crisis
The situation in the health sector appears equally dire.
In August 2025, civic accountability group MonITNG alleged that up to 90% of primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Niger State were in a deplorable condition.
In a statement addressed to Governor Umar Bago and posted on X, the group said the state has about 1,355 health facilities across 25 local government areas, with 1,322 of them being PHCs.
According to MonITNG, between 80% and 90% of these centres suffer from leaking roofs, cracked walls, lack of equipment, absent staff, and shortages of essential drugs, leaving thousands of residents without access to basic healthcare.
The group criticised the government’s decision to build new PHCs instead of rehabilitating existing ones.
“Instead of prioritising the rehabilitation of at least 300 existing PHCs that would have delivered broad impact across communities, the government has chosen to build 20 new PHCs, with indications that the number could rise to 100,” the group said.
MonITNG questioned the sustainability of adding new facilities when existing ones cannot be maintained.
Calls For Rethink
The group urged the Niger State Government to emulate Kano State’s healthcare strategy, where existing PHCs were upgraded into functional general hospitals while many others were renovated.
“That approach spread impact, improved access, and ensured citizens benefited from facilities already within their communities,” MonITNG said, warning that Niger State risks creating “white elephant” projects.
The organisation also noted that most general hospitals in the state are already overstretched, with some operating with just one or two doctors, while many rural PHCs are abandoned or staffed by untrained volunteers.
“Healthcare is not about the number of buildings. It is about functionality, staffing, equipment, and access. A rehabilitated and well-equipped PHC is far more valuable than another empty structure built for political points,” the statement concluded.
