President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are projected to spend a total of N6.1 billion on overseas trips in 2026, based on provisions contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
An examination of budget documents shows that the funds for international travel are captured under the State House Operations votes for both the president and the vice president.
According to the documents, the Presidency is expected to spend N6.14 billion on foreign travels in the 2026 fiscal year, while the Office of the Vice President has a proposed allocation of N1.31 billion for international trips within the same period.
These travel-related expenditures fall within the broader allocations of N8.38 billion proposed for State House Operations (President) and N2.64 billion earmarked for State House Operations (Vice President) in the 2026 budget.
In addition, the Presidency has proposed N7 billion for the solarisation of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The project, listed as “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini-Grid,” appears under the capital expenditure of the State House Headquarters, which has a total allocation of N43.19 billion for 2026.
The solar initiative is coming at a time of recurring instability in the national electricity grid, which has suffered several collapses in recent years, forcing government institutions and households to increasingly rely on alternative power sources.
The budget documents further indicate that N3.3 billion has been proposed for the purchase and replacement of vehicles by the Presidency in 2026.
A detailed breakdown shows that N2.56 billion is allocated for the purchase of State House operational vehicles, N768.9 million for the replacement of SUVs, and N115.4 million for tyres for bullet-proof vehicles, plain cars, ambulances and other operational vehicles.
These expenditures are classified under the capital projects of the State House Headquarters.
Beyond international travel, energy projects and vehicles, the federal government has also budgeted N283.85 billion for presidential air fleet logistics and management in the 2026 fiscal year, which includes the operation of the national forest guard.
A presidential air fleet refers to a collection of aircraft designated for official use by a country’s president, heads of state and other senior government officials.
Further details in the documents show that a large portion of the State House budget is allocated to maintenance and the settlement of outstanding obligations.
Specifically, N4.23 billion has been set aside for annual routine maintenance of mechanical, electrical and civil infrastructure within the Presidential Villa and other State House facilities.
Additionally, N8.35 billion has been allocated for Julius Berger liabilities, covering retention and outstanding works across several facilities in Abuja and Kaduna.
President Bola Tinubu had presented the N58.18 trillion 2026 federal budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, after its approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The Senate subsequently passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill for second reading on December 23, 2025.
The bill is presently undergoing legislative scrutiny, with lawmakers expected to interrogate the proposed allocations as debates continue over fiscal priorities amid rising economic pressures on Nigerians.
(LEADERSHIP)
Post A Comment: