Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has faced significant public scrutiny for allegedly spending N2.2 to N3.1 billion on remodeling the Kogi State Government House between April and June 2024. The spending reportedly exceeded the annual budget allocation for government house remodeling, initially set at N962 million, with funds used for various government office improvements and additional expenses on minor capital projects, such as furnishing and renovations for the deputy governor’s office.
In contrast, far smaller sums were allocated to sectors like healthcare and education, with reports indicating that only N235 million was spent on hospitals and approximately N600 million combined on healthcare and education within the same period. Criticism has also focused on Kogi’s relatively low expenditure on flood control measures (N8 million), especially considering the state’s vulnerability to seasonal flooding.
This pattern has stirred concerns over the state’s spending priorities, particularly given Kogi’s ongoing challenges with essential public services and infrastructure.
