By our reporter
At least 29 Nigerian governors spent ₦79.97 billion on domestic and foreign trips between January and June 2025, despite most states failing to attract any foreign investment in the period.
The figure, drawn from state budget records, represents a 14.72% increase over the ₦69.71 billion spent in the same period last year.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that only Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and Ekiti recorded any foreign capital inflow in Q1 2025. The Federal Capital Territory received the most at $3.05 billion, followed by Lagos with $2.56 billion, while Kano attracted just $120,000. Thirty-one states got nothing.
Lagos State led travel spending with ₦6.23 billion in Q1 alone, followed closely by Osun (₦6.21 billion) and Kano (₦5.58 billion). Regionally, South-West governors were the biggest spenders with ₦19.92 billion, followed by the North-West (₦17.58 billion) and North-East (₦13.92 billion).
President Bola Tinubu recently urged governors to redirect funds toward rural development, agriculture, security, and education. Experts, including Muda Yusuf and Professor Segun Ajibola, criticised the spending as fiscally irresponsible, citing weak legislative oversight and a lack of transparency.
The revelations have triggered renewed calls for accountability as millions of Nigerians face worsening economic hardship.
