Public reactions have continued to trail the reported allocation of about N8.05 billion for church and mosque-related projects in the 2026 Federal Government budget, with activists and media personalities questioning the priority of the spending.
DAILY POST reports that an analysis by public accountability organisation, Tracka, revealed that N1.91 billion was earmarked for church-related projects, while N6.14 billion was allocated for mosque-related projects in the 2026 budget.
The development had earlier attracted criticism from former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who questioned the decision to commit such funds to religious projects amid widespread poverty and economic hardship among Nigerians.
Reacting to the report, activist and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain, Aisha Yesufu, criticised the inclusion of religious projects in the government budget, arguing that the funds could have been better used to support education and other critical sectors.
“What is the business of the State with religion? Why is the Nigerian government funding churches and mosques? Why should churches and mosques be in budget?
“Monies that should be used to fund education. We are just not a serious country,” she wrote on X.
Also reacting, Arise TV Morning Show host, Rufai Oseni, accused lawmakers of inserting questionable projects into the budget, alleging that some allocations were designed for personal interests.
“Everything about these lawmakers is fraud. Tax law, fraud, budget fraud. Why is it that the church project went to Bende? Who is from there? Why is it that the Mosque budget went to Zaria? Who is from Zaria? Rubber stamp lawmakers,” Oseni stated.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate over the role of government in funding religious institutions and whether public funds should be directed towards such projects or prioritised for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty reduction.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.