The expenditure related to the Office of the First Lady has sparked significant discussion. In 2023, the Federal Government allocated ₦1.5 billion for the procurement of vehicles, which has been a point of contention regarding whether this budget was intended for the First Lady’s office or the Presidency more broadly.
Further scrutiny reveals that the government spent over ₦1 billion on various aspects of the First Lady’s activities. This includes:
- Foreign Trips:
- ₦77,659,888 for a trip to the U.S.
- ₦149,794,284 for a trip to France.
- ₦202,386,198 for a trip to Mozambique.
- ₦144,571,785 for a trip to Ethiopia.
- ₦126,295,377 for a trip to London.
- Events and Programs:
- ₦131,921,786 for event decoration.
- ₦107,630,000 for multimedia and related services.
In total, the government has spent approximately ₦1,014,939,004 on the First Lady’s trips and programmes within seven months.
This has drawn criticism, especially given the broader context of economic challenges in the country, including high levels of poverty and hunger. The allocation of substantial funds to the Office of the First Lady, amidst claims of wasteful spending on other fronts, has intensified debates about government priorities and spending practices.
