NDA, EFCC, 18 other MDAs budget N6.6bn for generator fuel in 2026

Security and law-enforcement agencies account for the bulk of the N6.626 billion budgeted by 20 federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for generator and plant fuel in Nigeria’s 2026 fiscal year, an analysis of budget data has shown.

The figures highlight the continued dependence of federal institutions on diesel- and petrol-powered generators amid persistent electricity supply challenges nationwide.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received the single largest allocation, with N1.2 billion earmarked for generator fuel—about 18 per cent of the total amount budgeted by the MDAs reviewed.

Other major allocations include N567.9 million for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, N511 million for police formations and commands, and N455 million for the Ministry of Defence Headquarters. Combined, these four institutions account for over 40 per cent of the total N6.626 billion set aside for generator fuel.

A detailed breakdown shows that security-related institutions dominate spending in this category.

The Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Defence Academy, National Defence College, police formations and commands, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service and the EFCC together account for an estimated N4.17 billion—approximately 63 per cent of the total allocation.

Outside the security sector, several civil and administrative MDAs received allocations close to the overall average of about N331 million per agency. These include the Ministry of Finance (N325 million), the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Headquarters (N342 million), the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (N200.586 million) and the Ministry of Works (N200 million).

Media and information agencies were allocated comparatively smaller sums. The Voice of Nigeria received N235 million, while the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) was allocated N136.8 million, bringing their combined total to N371.8 million.

The lowest allocations went to the Petroleum Training Institute (N103 million), the FRCN (N136.8 million) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Headquarters (N160 million).

Overall, the data reveal wide disparities in generator fuel spending, ranging from N103 million to N1.2 billion, reflecting differences in institutional size, infrastructure needs and operational intensity.

The continued reliance on generators across federal MDAs underscores Nigeria’s ongoing power supply challenges and raises questions about the pace of investment in alternative and more sustainable energy solutions within government institutions.

Earlier, a review of Nigeria’s 2026 budget documents showed that N1.989 billion was allocated for generator fuel at the State House, also known as the Aso Rock Villa. The budget line item, listed under “State House Headquarters,” was described as “plant and generator fuel cost.”

In addition, N17.2 million was earmarked for generator maintenance, bringing total spending on generator fueling and upkeep at the Villa to nearly N2 billion in 2026.

This comes despite a separate N7 billion allocation in the 2026 budget for the solarisation of the Aso Rock Villa. A similar project had N10 billion set aside for it in the 2025 fiscal year. Budget Office records describe the 2026 allocation as “provision of solarisation of Villa with solar mini grid.”

The move to deploy a solar grid at the Presidential Villa comes amid widespread power outages affecting Nigerians nationwide. In April 2025, following public criticism over the initial N10 billion solarisation budget, the Tinubu administration defended the project, citing long-term cost savings and energy efficiency.