A recent report from the website Open Nigeria States, supported by BudgIT, revealed that in the first quarter of 2024, around 30 state governments in Nigeria collectively allocated N986.64 billion towards recurrent expenditures. This significant amount was utilized for expenses such as refreshments, sitting allowances, travel expenses, and utilities.
The report noted that out of the 30 states analyzed, data for the first quarter of 2024 was unavailable for six states—Benue, Imo, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, and Yobe—preventing their assessment.
The report states that in the initial quarter of the year, state governments spent N5.1 billion on providing refreshments for guests, N4.67 billion on paying sitting allowances to government officials, N34.63 billion on covering both local and foreign travel expenses, and N5.64 billion on utility bills which encompassed electricity, internet, telephone charges, water rates, and sewerage charges, among other things.
Moreover, a total of N405.77 billion was designated by these states for salaries. Besides that, other recurrent expenditures covered expenses for internet connection, entertainment, groceries, payments for services rendered, clothing allowances, phone charges, office supplies, observance of special occasions, support initiatives, and maintenance of aircraft.
For specific states, the report detailed the following expenditures:
Abia State, N10.92 billion, including N165.38 million on refreshments, N39.26 million on utilities, N214.57 million on sitting allowances, and N127.1 million on travel.
Adamawa State, N23.7 billion, with N287.61 million on refreshments, N109.62 million on utilities, N79.57 million on sitting allowances, and N768.77 million on travel.
Akwa Ibom State, N46.85 billion, which included N4.46 million on refreshments, N223.32 million on utilities, N6 million on sitting allowances, and N214.61 million on travel.
Anambra State, N9.91 billion, with N78.18 million on refreshments, N32.52 million on utilities, N42.09 million on sitting allowances, and N188.39 million on travel.
Bauchi State, N35.75 billion, with N397.58 million on utilities, N50.8 million on refreshments, N287.11 million on allowances, and N413.56 million on travel.
Bayelsa State, N35.1 billion, including N28.4 million on utilities, N156.14 million on refreshments, and N279.99 million on travel.
