FIJ
The Federal Government has allocated over N30 billion for the renovation of presidential residences, lodges and offices from 2021 to 2024, as revealed in budget documents on the Nigerian Budget Office website.
Since 2021, recurrent allocations have been made for the renovation of the presidential lodge in Dodan Barracks, the Shehu Shagari building and the office wings for presidential aides.
In the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, the presidential and vice presidential quarters at Aso Villa alone received over N7 billion in total budgetary allocation.
FIJ conducted a detailed breakdown and analysis of the expenditure on presidential residences alone, comparing the 2024 fiscal budgets to the allocations of some key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL QUARTERS (ASO VILLA)
Budgetary allocation to the presidential quarters at the Aso Villa lies at the centre of the budgetary controversy. President Bola Tinubu has allocated N9 billion for the renovation and construction of his residential palace at Aso Rock since he assumed office in 2023.
Out of the N28 billion allocated for the State House in the 2023 supplementary budget, N4 billion was earmarked for renovating the residence of Mr. President. Another N500 million was allocated for the renovation and repairs of the same residence in the 2024 budget.
Similarly, the Aguda House, which is the Vice Presidential Quarters at Aso Villa, received N2.5 billion for renovations in the 2023 supplementary budget. An additional N300 million has been budgeted for the repairs and renovation of the same residence in the 2024 budget.
