SERAP Demands Transparency from Nigeria’s Governors and FCT Minister

SERAP Demands Transparency from Nigeria’s Governors and FCT Minister

In a bold move underscoring the urgency of public accountability, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a formal demand for transparency from Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

This demand centers on the estimated ₦14 trillion in fuel subsidy savings reportedly received by these officials since the removal of the subsidy policy in mid-2023.

SERAP, a prominent non-governmental organization known for its advocacy on socio-economic rights and anti-corruption, submitted Freedom of Information (FoI) requests dated October 4, 2025.

These requests, signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, call for the immediate disclosure of spending details related to the fuel subsidy savings. The organization insists that the governors and the FCT Minister must provide comprehensive accounts of how the funds were utilized, including the locations, implementation status, and completion reports of any projects financed with the allocations.

The group’s concern stems from the fact that despite a 79 percent increase in total Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributions, reaching ₦28.78 trillion in 2024, and a 45.5 percent rise in state allocations to ₦5.22 trillion, there has been no corresponding improvement in access to essential public services. Millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians continue to face worsening poverty, unpaid salaries, and deteriorating healthcare and education systems. SERAP argues that the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy were intended to benefit these citizens directly, and any failure to do so constitutes a grave injustice.

SERAP has also urged the governors and the FCT Minister to publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the spending of the subsidy savings. The organization warns that opacity in the management of these funds poses a significant risk of mismanagement and diversion into private pockets. It cited reports of states allegedly spending public funds on luxury items such as exotic vehicles and unnecessary foreign trips, further fueling public distrust.

The group emphasized that transparency in public spending is not only a constitutional obligation under Sections 15(5) and 16(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) but also a requirement under international legal instruments such as the UN Convention Against Corruption and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. SERAP reminded the officials that the Supreme Court has affirmed the applicability of the Freedom of Information Act across all tiers of government, thereby nullifying any claims that state administrations are exempt.

In a final warning, SERAP issued a seven-day ultimatum to the governors and the FCT Minister to comply with the transparency demands or face legal action.

The organization maintains that citizens have an inherent right to know how public resources are spent and that accountability is essential to strengthening democracy and ensuring that national wealth serves the common good.