The Coalition of Civil Society in Nigeria has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged irregularities in Nigeria’s 2026 federal budget. The petition, signed by the Coalition’s Convener, Comrade Buna Olaitan, and General Secretary, Comrade Wyseman Ajayi, was presented at a press conference in Lagos. The group urged the ICPC to investigate questionable provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
A major focus of the petition is the allocation of about N1.3 billion to the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 budget. The coalition questioned how an entity whose legal existence has been disputed by the federal government could have secured a budgetary allocation. The ICPC had earlier said its investigation established that PFIPC was not created by any law, executive order or other valid government instrument.
The ICPC recommended prosecution for alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences, as well as sanctions against public officers whose actions or omissions facilitated the scheme. The Budget Office of the Federation said that although N1.302 billion was appropriated to PFIPC, no funds were released because statutory conditions required for expenditure had not been met. This raised questions about how an entity allegedly lacking legal existence secured a place in the national budget.
The coalition also drew the ICPC’s attention to about N8.4 billion allocated for road projects under the 2026 budget of the National Commission for Almajiri and out-of-school children education. The allocation attracted scrutiny because road construction does not fall within the commission’s core statutory mandate. The commission explained that the projects were constituency projects inserted by members of the National Assembly.
The coalition urged the ICPC to establish the chain of responsibility, including those who proposed, processed, reviewed, approved and defended the disputed allocation. They also called for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations, to relinquish the position pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the allegations.
The petition highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the budgeting process. The coalition emphasized that the ICPC's investigation should be thorough and impartial to restore public trust in the country's governance. The group seeks Adeola’s suspension to prevent potential interference with the investigation.
The ICPC is yet to publicly comment on the new petition, but it is expected to investigate the allegations thoroughly. The outcome of the investigation will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the alleged irregularities in the 2026 budget and ensuring accountability in Nigeria's budgeting process.
Key points
- The Coalition of Civil Society in Nigeria petitions ICPC over alleged irregularities in 2026 budget.
- N1.3 billion allocated to Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council despite disputed legal existence.
- Coalition seeks suspension of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola pending investigation.
