A deep dive into Nigeria’s public expenditure platform, GovSpend, has exposed a trail of questionable payments amounting to over N700 million by Tinubu’s government between March and July 2024, mainly for lavish decorations, kitchen replacements, and toilet upgrades.
The revelations have triggered public anger, with many questioning the administration’s sense of priority in a period marked by economic distress, record unemployment, and rising food prices.
At the centre of the spending spree is Rock of Ages Total Event Limited, a private contractor that bagged at least five separate contracts worth N250 million within four months, all for event decoration services at the State House and other high-profile government venues.
One of the largest transactions was N68.4 million approved on July 15 for Democracy Day decorations. Just ten days before that, the same firm received N19.9 million to decorate a 300-seater hall at the Sheraton Hotel.
On May 24, records show another N131.9 million went into decorating the State House for a First Lady-led program focusing on women, youth, and children. A week earlier, N22.5 million was spent on floral arrangements at the new Banquet Hall ahead of a religious fast-breaking event involving the Commander-in-Chief’s office.
Earlier in March, the administration had disbursed N7.5 million for another round of decorations at the same banquet hall.
Beyond decor, the State House also spent N32.2 million in August 2024 to replace kitchen items, again paying Rock of Ages Total Event Limited.
Elsewhere, on June 27, the Federal Ministry of Justice approved a staggering N403 million for toilet renovations. Of that amount, N158 million covered direct upgrades, while N245 million went to Optional Concepts Limited, another private firm, for similar work.
When placed in perspective, the N403 million lavished on restrooms could have financed 66 blocks of classrooms or built 51 solar-powered boreholes, essential public services many rural communities desperately need.
As inflation surges and the cost of living deepens, the N700 million in non-essential expenses has reignited national conversations about government waste, corruption in procurement, and a lack of fiscal discipline.
