In just two years, the APC government approved ₦13.04 trillion worth of projects. Shockingly, Lagos alone received ₦3.9 trillion more than the combined allocations of the North-East, South-East, and North-Central. The figures raise serious questions about equity, fairness, and justice in Nigeria’s governance.
In every democracy, fairness and justice are the bedrock of governance. When resources and projects are shared, citizens expect equity not favoritism. Sadly, the recent analysis of Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals under the APC government reveals the opposite.
According to Daily Trust findings, in just two years, the federal government approved projects worth ₦13.04 trillion across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The breakdown is as follows:
South West: ₦5.97 trillion (Lagos alone got ₦3.9 trillion)
South South: ₦2.41 trillion
South East: ₦407.49 billion
North Central (incl. Abuja): ₦1.15 trillion
North West: ₦2.7 trillion
North East: ₦403.98 billions.
On the surface, these figures may look like development. But a closer look exposes an undeniable truth, the distribution is skewed, unjust, and dangerously imbalanced.
How can Lagos alone secure ₦3.9 trillion, more than what the North East, South East, and North Central received combined? Does Lagos have greater need than regions ravaged by insecurity, poverty, and infrastructural collapse? Equity demands that those in dire need get more attention, not less.
Both zones received only about 3% each of the entire ₦13 trillion allocation. This is a clear continuation of marginalization. The South East has long cried out for inclusion; the North East is battling insurgency, humanitarian crises, and extreme poverty. Yet, when it comes to projects, they are left at the bottom. This is neither fair nor justifiable.
When one region takes nearly half of all federal projects, while others are left to scramble for crumbs, what message does it send? It fuels resentment. It deepens division. It undermines trust in government. No nation can build unity on such blatant imbalance.
By every measure, the APC government has failed the test of equity, fairness, and justice in this allocation. Development is not about pampering one zone while others languish. It is about shared prosperity, about giving each region its fair chance to grow.
The numbers do not lie. In just two years, APC’s distribution of federal projects has favored the South West at the expense of other regions. If this trend continues, Nigeria risks deepening inequality and alienation among its people. Governance must be about fairness, not favoritism. The nation deserves better.
Ibrahim Salisu, is a journalist and public affairs commentator. He lives in Gombe State.
