Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has presented 23 brand-new 2026 model Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs to the chairmen of the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), sparking intense public debate over fiscal priorities in one of Nigeria’s most economically challenged regions.
The handover ceremony, held at the Government House in Sokoto, saw the governor—represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Sifawa—officially distribute the luxury vehicles.
Each Prado is reportedly valued at approximately ₦125 million, bringing the total expenditure to nearly ₦3 billion, according to social media reports and viral footage circulating on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
A video shared widely on X shows officials in traditional attire inspecting the white SUVs lined up in a compound, with chairmen receiving keys in a formal setting.
The post by user @Ozorbig1 highlighted the timing, describing the distribution as occurring “ahead of 2027 election,” fueling speculation about political motivations less than two years before the next general polls.
Official reports, including coverage from New Telegraph, confirm the presentation of the Toyota Jeeps to the LGA chairmen but do not specify the exact cost or model year in public statements.
Social media users and online commentators have consistently cited the ₦125 million per vehicle figure, with the aggregate spend approaching ₦3 billion.
The move has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given Sokoto State’s persistent socioeconomic challenges.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)—the most comprehensive recent national survey—Sokoto records one of the highest multidimensional poverty rates in Nigeria at 91%.
This means nine out of every ten residents face deprivations in areas such as health, education, living standards, sanitation, and food security.
The state ranks at the top of poverty incidence among Nigerian states, with rural areas particularly affected.Critics argue the funds could address more pressing needs.
Suggestions from online discussions include investing in community health centers, teacher training and incentives, maternal and child health programs, borehole construction for clean water, or enhanced local security measures amid ongoing banditry and insecurity in parts of the North-West.
Some defenders of the decision view the vehicles as tools for “administrative efficiency,” enabling chairmen to better perform oversight and service delivery duties across often remote and rugged terrains.
However, public sentiment on social media leans heavily toward outrage, with comments labeling the purchase as misplaced priorities or elite indulgence while masses struggle with basic necessities.
This is not the first instance of vehicle-related controversy in Sokoto’s recent governance.
Earlier reports from 2024–2025 highlighted multi-billion naira spends on luxury vehicles for lawmakers and executive council members, including Prados budgeted at significantly higher figures than market values in some cases.
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the SUV distribution has intensified conversations about governance accountability, resource allocation, and the balance between official mobility needs and direct interventions to alleviate poverty in Sokoto State.
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Neither the governor’s office nor the local government chairmen have issued detailed public responses to the cost criticisms at the time of this report.
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