SERAP Demands Answers From Governors On Spending of Fuel Subsidy Savings

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to publish detailed accounts of how the N14 trillion in fuel subsidy savings shared through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has been used.

The group said the public deserves to know the exact projects funded with the money, including their locations, progress, and completion status. SERAP’s request, dated October 4, 2025, was signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and sent to all state governors and the FCT minister.

The organisation also asked them to outline how future subsidy savings would be used, listing the proposed projects and budget allocations. It further urged the governors and the minister to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track how the funds are spent to prevent diversion.

According to SERAP, since the removal of fuel subsidy in mid-2023, state governments and the FCT have received trillions of naira in increased allocations. Yet, the group noted that these funds have not translated into improved access to education, healthcare, or welfare services for ordinary Nigerians.

SERAP stressed that there is a strong public interest in knowing how the funds were spent, adding that the subsidy savings should have been used strictly to cushion the hardship faced by vulnerable citizens. It warned that lack of transparency could lead to what it described as “double suffering” for the poor.

The group accused some state governments of using public funds, possibly including the subsidy savings, to finance luxury lifestyles, foreign trips, and the purchase of expensive vehicles rather than addressing the people’s needs. It gave a seven-day deadline for the governors and the minister to respond, warning that legal action would follow if they failed to comply.

SERAP said Nigerians have the right to know how public resources are managed, citing the constitution and international anti-corruption laws that bind the country to transparency and accountability.

Despite the record rise in FAAC disbursements — which reached N28.78 trillion in 2024, a 79 percent increase from the previous year — many states still struggle to pay salaries and pensions, while infrastructure and essential services remain in poor condition.

The organisation said corruption and poor management of funds continue to damage public trust, urging leaders to act in line with their constitutional duty to serve the public interest. It also referenced the Supreme Court ruling that confirmed the Freedom of Information Act applies to all public institutions, including state governments, saying refusal to disclose spending details would violate that decision.

SERAP called on the governors and the FCT minister to respect the ruling and immediately make public how the funds have been used. It added that transparency is not just a legal duty but a moral one, essential for restoring confidence in governance and ensuring the welfare of Nigerians who continue to bear the weight of the subsidy removal.