Ministry of Culture allocates N3.7bn for research

Amidst demands for reductions in government expenses, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy has allocated an astounding N3.7 billion for “research and development”.

This was mirrored in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget, which was signed by President Bola Tinubu in January and was spotted in Abuja on Wednesday by Obasanjonews.com.

According to Obasanjonews.com, lawmakers boosted the N1.2 trillion budget that President Tinubu had given, leaving a N27.5 trillion deficit.

The budget was discussed in public after Senator Abdul Ningi of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District claimed that N3 trillion had been added to the budget, a claim for which he was suspended.

Tinubu separated the ministry from the previous Ministry of National Orientation, Culture, and Information. Additionally, N160 million was set aside for the development of an art and craft skill acquisition centre in Musawa LGA, Katsina State, in the northwest.

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Once more, the Minister’s residence, Musawa Local Government Council, will get solar street lights thanks to an allocation of N290 million.

A closer examination of the 2024 budget compilation reveals N98 million and N150 million, respectively, for the ministry’s “information desk” at the international airport in Abuja and a “Nigerian pavilion” at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, which is scheduled for May 14–25 in France.

A total of N26 million was allocated for various purposes, including refreshments and publicity.

After a year of President Tinubu’s administration, Dr. Muktar Alkali of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability discussed his thoughts about several government departments and voiced dismay, saying:

Over the past year, certain agencies have experienced high costs associated with governance and inefficiencies.

This indicates that the tragic tale the country is currently experiencing has nothing to do with changes from the past. We are investigating the events that have occurred in some agencies and will respond to the media when the time is appropriate.