Governors spend N512bn on travels, offices

In the first six months of 2026, thirty-three state governments in Nigeria spent a staggering N512.10 billion on government houses, governors' offices, and travel and transport expenses. This expense was about 4,713 times higher than the combined six-month salaries of all 36 governors, which amounted to just N108.65 million. The analysis of state budget implementation reports revealed that N420.01 billion was allocated to government houses and governor's offices, while N92.09 billion was spent on travel and transport.

The combined amount of these expenses was N512.10 billion, which represented only 0.02 percent of the total expenditure on executive offices and travel. Despite the governor's stated monthly salary of N503,000, the combined six-month salary of all governors would only amount to N108.65 million. The analysis highlights the enormous public cost associated with maintaining the executive offices of state governors and the larger fiscal question of the total public cost of maintaining these offices and the administrative structures surrounding them.