The National Assembly is facing fresh allegations of budget padding after BudgIT, a Nigerian civic tech organization, uncovered an alarming inflation in the proposed 2024 budget for the Federal College of Horticultural Technology, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State. BudgIT revealed that the institution’s initial budget proposal of ₦368 million was mysteriously inflated to ₦42.7 billion during legislative approval, marking an astonishing discrepancy of over ₦42 billion—a 5,000% increase.

In a statement released on Tuesday, BudgIT highlighted irregularities, accusing the legislature of allocating funds to projects unrelated to the college’s mandate. “From ₦368 million to ₦42.7 billion! @nassnigeria, kindly do the right thing and uphold integrity during the 2025 budget review,” BudgIT tweeted. The organization noted that the additional funds were diverted to 12 unrelated projects, including solar streetlights, boreholes, tricycles, and classroom construction in states far removed from Gombe.

Specific projects included ₦1.6 billion for solar streetlights in constituencies across seven states, ₦1.5 billion for boreholes and transformers in various federal constituencies, and ₦1 billion for the provision of mini-buses in rural communities. Other allocations included ₦495 million each for classrooms and solar-powered boreholes in Kano, Sokoto, and Bauchi States, and ₦200 million for food palliatives in Maiduguri, Borno State. Critics argue that these projects undermine the institution’s development and highlight systemic inefficiencies in budget allocations.

BudgIT has called for immediate corrective action and a thorough review of the 2025 budget process. The organization stressed the need for transparency and accountability in public spending, urging the National Assembly to prioritize integrity. The scandal has sparked public outrage, with citizens demanding explanations and reforms to prevent future budgetary discrepancies.