A review of Niger State budget documents has revealed that the state government spent ₦1.6 billion on “executive tables and chairs” for government guest houses between January and September 2025. The expenditure covered the supply of 28 executive tables and chairs for 17 additional guest houses located behind the Government House in Minna.
The spending is set to continue, as the 2026 budget also earmarks another ₦1.5 billion for similar furniture purchases. This comes after the state reportedly spent ₦3.7 billion within the same nine-month period on constructing nine guest houses, with an additional ₦2.1 billion allocated for more guest house projects in the 2026 fiscal year.
In contrast, budget records show that only ₦352 million was spent on capital projects by the Ministry of Water Resources during the same period, while the Niger State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency recorded zero capital expenditure. This is despite persistent water shortages across many communities, where residents reportedly rely on unsafe water sources shared with livestock, exposing them to diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea.
Concerns have also been raised about the state of healthcare facilities. In August 2025, civic accountability group MonITNG alleged that up to 90 per cent of primary healthcare centres in Niger State were in poor condition, citing leaking roofs, lack of equipment, drug shortages, and staff absences. The group questioned the government’s decision to build new health centres instead of rehabilitating existing ones, warning that without adequate staffing, funding, and maintenance, new facilities risk becoming underutilised projects rather than solutions to residents’ healthcare needs.