Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the Federal Government over its proposed ₦1.08 trillion earmarked for a cooperative college in the 2026 budget.
In a statement, he described the allocation as excessive and questioned the rationale behind committing such a huge amount to a single institution. Atiku argued that the figure does not reflect Nigeria’s current economic realities or pressing needs.
According to him, with millions of citizens grappling with inflation, unemployment, and failing infrastructure, prioritizing that level of funding for one college sends the wrong signal. He said the budget item looks more like a conduit for misuse of public funds than a genuine development plan.
The PDP chieftain further stated that education and skills development are important, but transparency and value for money must come first. He urged the National Assembly and relevant oversight bodies to scrutinize the proposal thoroughly before approval. For him, Nigerians deserve to know how the money will be spent and what impact it is expected to deliver.
He also called on the government to redirect resources toward sectors with immediate impact — such as healthcare, agriculture, power, and job creation. Atiku maintained that a cooperative college, while useful, should not come at the expense of projects that directly alleviate hardship for ordinary citizens.
The 2026 budget is currently before the legislature, and debate around allocations has already sparked criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups. The Federal Government is yet to issue a detailed response to Atiku’s remarks.
