standarddailypress’ review of Kogi State’s 2026 draft budget reveals that the state plans to spend N1.015 billion on remodelling the Government House, alongside another N1 billion for minor capital works at the same facility, to be executed through direct labour.
Further allocations include N500 million for building residential apartments for lawmakers and the head of legislative services on an “owner occupier” basis, meaning the properties will belong to the officials despite being funded with public money.
These luxurious expenditures come amid growing concerns over the state’s debt obligations. The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) shows that between 2025 and 2027, roughly 80% of Kogi’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) will be spent on debt servicing. For example, in 2026, the state expects N35.1 billion in IGR, of which N28.2 billion (80.4%) is earmarked for debt repayment. By 2027, debt service will consume 81.1% of projected revenue.
The report also highlights that Kogi relies heavily on federal allocations, which make up about 80% of its revenue, while IGR contributes less than 20%—well below the national average. Spending on debt service has already outpaced critical sectors; for instance, in the first half of 2025, debt charges consumed N28.1 billion, exceeding combined expenditures for the Ministry of Works (N17.2 billion), Water Resources (N1.4 billion), Health (N12.3 billion), and Education (N20.3 billion).
Despite these pressures, previous budget reviews show N7 billion was allocated in 2025 to purchase sixty vehicles for ministries and departments, raising concerns about fiscal prudence in Kogi State.
