The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, and all 36 state governors across Nigeria.Â
They’ve been given seven days to provide detailed documentation regarding the expenditure of trillions of naira disbursed through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since the advent of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999. SERAP demands that these documents be made widely accessible to the public.
This call for transparency comes in the wake of reports indicating staggering disbursements from the FAAC, with a record-breaking N1.123 trillion allocated for March 2024 alone.
 Of this massive sum, state governments received N398.689 billion. SERAP’s concern stems from the belief that despite these substantial allocations, a significant portion of the funds has purportedly been mismanaged or misused, leading to dire consequences for ordinary Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable.
In a formal Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated April 20, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization asserts the fundamental right of Nigerians to have full transparency regarding the utilization of public funds, including those allocated through the FAAC.
The FoI request emphasizes that despite the increased financial allocations, millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with poverty and lack access to essential public services.
SERAP alleges that these FAAC allocations have been subject to mismanagement, diversion, and the abandonment of crucial projects.
Moreover, they raise concerns about reports suggesting that funds intended for developmental projects have been redirected towards political campaigns and patronage.
“FAAC allocations received by your state and the FCT are reportedly characterised by mismanagement, diversion of funds, and abandoned projects. FAAC allocations have also been allegedly spent for other purposes such as election campaigns and political patronage.”
The organization contends that publishing detailed records of FAAC spending would not only promote accountability and transparency but also empower Nigerians to actively participate in monitoring the execution of projects funded by these allocations.
“Publishing the documents on the spending of FAAC allocations by your state and the FCT would promote transparency, accountability, and reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.”
“The report that some 140 million Nigerians are poor suggests corruption and mismanagement in the spending of trillions of naira in FAAC allocations collected by your state and the FCT.”
SERAP underscores the urgency of this matter by citing NEITI’s figures, which indicate that an astounding N10.143 trillion was shared among the federal, state, and local governments as statutory revenue allocations in 2023 alone.
Furthermore, SERAP urges the concerned authorities to outline the specific measures and mechanisms in place to safeguard against the embezzlement, misappropriation, or diversion of FAAC funds for personal gain.
“SERAP also urges you to provide details of the transparency and accountability mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that the trillions of naira of FAAC allocations that have been received by your state and the FCT are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
“SERAP is concerned about the persistent lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of FAAC allocations by your state and the FCT.”
They express deep-seated concerns about the persistent lack of transparency and accountability in the handling of these allocations.
Failure to comply with SERAP’s requests within the stipulated timeframe could lead to legal action, as SERAP vows to pursue all necessary avenues to ensure compliance in the public interest.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and your state and the FCT to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
