As Nigerians delve deeper into the suspected inflation of the 2024 budget endorsed by the National Assembly, revelations have emerged regarding the allocation of N47.5 billion within the Ministry of Education’s budget.
This substantial sum was designated for the refurbishment and supply of educational materials to 50 schools nationwide.
However, crucial details such as the specific locations of these schools were notably omitted from the budget documentation.
Earlier reports highlighted allegations made by the now-suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, who asserted two weeks prior that the Senate leadership had padded the 2024 budget by a staggering N3.7 trillion.
Ningi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Bauchi Central, accused the Senate leadership, including Godswill Akpabio, and the presidency of orchestrating this inflation, leading to discrepancies between the budget ratified by the National Assembly and the one currently being implemented.
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Intriguingly, a specific reference in the 2024 Appropriation Act on page 377, with identification ERGP20243999 under the Federal Ministry of Education, outlines the allocation of N47.5 billion to “fifty selected Government Secondary Schools Across the Nation for infrastructure upgrade and provision of Education materials and teaching tools.”
Meanwhile, Arise News TV anchor Oseni Rufai who shared the budget document on his X handle, questioned whether the allocation affirmed some of the concerns raised by Senator Ningi, currently implemented by the federal government.
He wrote: “The Ministry of Education has been allocated ₦47.5 billion for the renovation of 50 schools across Nigeria, with undisclosed locations. Does this affirm some of the concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi?”