The Nigeria’s already controversial 2026 Appropriation Bill has been thrown into fresh turmoil after Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, admitted that a controversial budget provision for churches in his Bende Federal Constituency exists, while insisting that the amount and purpose have been widely misunderstood.
The budget line, which sparked outrage after reports claimed N1 billion had been earmarked for the purchase of musical instruments for churches, has fueled fresh concerns over constituency projects, public spending priorities, and transparency in Nigeria’s federal budget.
Responding to the growing backlash, Kalu clarified that the actual allocation is N780 million after Value Added Tax, VAT, and other statutory tax deductions, not N1 billion as widely reported.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the funds are not merely for buying musical instruments but form part of a broader Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations across Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State.
He explained that Bende has 13 political wards and more than 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme targeting 130 churches, averaging about 10 churches per ward. Each participating church is expected to receive support valued at between N5 million and N6 million.
Kalu said the intervention is designed to strengthen church-led youth engagement initiatives by providing evangelical musical instruments, public address systems and other equipment needed for community outreach programmes.
According to him, the initiative aims to combat social problems affecting young people, including drug abuse, narcotics trafficking, sexual offences, violent crimes, cultism and other anti-social behaviours, while promoting discipline, peace, moral values and character development through faith-based campaigns.
“The proposed allocation is actually N780 million after VAT and other tax deductions. It is earmarked as a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme delivered evangelistically through faith-based organisations in Bende Federal Constituency,” Kalu stated.
Fresh fuel for 2026 budget controversy
Kalu’s explanation comes at a time when the 2026 Nigerian budget has come under intense public scrutiny over allegations of questionable constituency projects and insertions.
Several civil society organisations, transparency advocates and opposition figures have questioned whether allocations running into hundreds of millions of naira for religious programmes, recreational facilities, festivals and other constituency projects reflect Nigeria’s pressing economic realities.
Critics argue that with millions of Nigerians battling inflation, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare, failing schools and deteriorating infrastructure, such allocations reinforce longstanding concerns over how public funds are prioritised.
Supporters of constituency projects, however, insist lawmakers are constitutionally empowered to facilitate development projects tailored to the specific needs of their constituencies, including social intervention programmes executed through religious and community organisations.
Mounting questions over budget transparency
The latest revelation is expected to intensify calls for greater transparency in the implementation of the 2026 federal budget, with many Nigerians demanding clearer justification for constituency allocations and stricter oversight of public expenditure.
As debate over the spending plan continues, analysts say the controversy has once again placed the National Assembly under pressure to demonstrate that every naira appropriated serves the broader public interest at a time of significant economic hardship.
The controversy surrounding the 2026 budget is likely to remain one of Nigeria’s biggest political talking points in the weeks ahead, as citizens, watchdog groups and policymakers continue to scrutinise controversial allocations and demand greater accountability for public funds.
