Tinubu Slashes Lawmakers’ Constituency Project Funds to Curb Waste and Boost Accountability

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a significant reduction in the allocation for lawmakers’ constituency projects, citing the need to enhance fiscal discipline, transparency, and ensure better utilization of public funds.

According to sources in the Budget Office, the decision followed a review of the 2025 fiscal framework which showed that constituency projects, often valued at trillions of naira annually, had limited measurable impact on grassroots development.

The new directive reportedly trims lawmakers’ project funds by nearly 40%, with the government insisting that future disbursements must align strictly with national development priorities. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have also been directed to take over the execution of some projects to eliminate duplication and misuse of funds.

Reacting to the development, some members of the National Assembly expressed concerns, describing the move as a threat to their constituency outreach, while others welcomed it as a step toward curbing corruption and improving service delivery.

Analysts say the policy could help plug budgetary leakages and strengthen accountability, provided proper monitoring mechanisms are enforced by relevant anti-corruption agencies.