A review of Nigeria’s approved 2026 budget by SaharaReporters has revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) plans to spend N1.1 billion on the construction of an office annex intended to serve as residential quarters for presidential aides.
The budget also earmarks an additional N1.2 billion for the purchase of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and other luxury automobiles. According to the budget details, the allocation is for the procurement of Toyota SUVs, saloon cars and double-cabin pick-up vehicles.
Further examination of the 2026 budget shows that the OSGF intends to spend N496 million on photocopying machines and office furniture. The budget line item states: “Purchase of office equipment including supply and installation of three heavy-duty photocopy machines for cabinet affairs office end room and supply of office furniture.”
The latest spending plans come against the backdrop of earlier budgetary allocations linked to the same office. A previous SaharaReporters review of the 2025 approved budget showed that N100 million was allocated for the purchase and supply of grinding machines for empowerment projects in the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos State under the OSGF.
Another N100 million was budgeted for a similar project in the Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency of Rivers State, while an additional N200 million was allocated for the supply of grinding machines in Kaduna South Federal Constituency, Kaduna State. In total, N400 million was earmarked in 2025 for the purchase and distribution of grinding machines by the OSGF.
Further scrutiny of the 2025 budget document also showed that the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology budgeted N195 million for grinding machines. This included N75 million for beneficiaries in Birnin Kebbi, N80 million for Aliero, and N40 million for Maiyama, bringing the total to N195 million.
These revelations have intensified scrutiny of public spending captured in recent budget documents.
In a related development, a review of the public payments portal, Govspend, indicated that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, approved the payment of N9.6 million for branded towels produced as souvenirs for his birthday celebration. The payment, made on December 21, 2023, was to Okwoli Aromeh, listed as the Chief Administrative Officer in the SGF’s office.
The payment description stated that the funds were released to enable the production of branded towel gift items for the SGF’s landmark birthday celebration in his hometown. Akume marked his 70th birthday on December 26, 2023, and later shared details of the celebration on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
George Akume was appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation in June 2023.
