The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed allocating more than N500 million in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for empowerment programmes that include training hairdressers and make-up artists, distributing grinding machines, motorcycles, mini-vans, and running anti-drug abuse campaigns across selected states.
Details of the proposed spending emerged from the 2026 Appropriation Bill, uploaded on the Budget Office’s website and accessed on Thursday. The allocations, spread across various geopolitical zones, are listed as constituency-level projects within the ministry’s budget.
According to the document, under budget item code ERGP 12234747, the ministry intends to spend N35 million on providing an unspecified number of grinding machines to women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency, located in the South-South zone.
Similarly, another N35 million has been set aside to train and empower women in hairdressing, make-up, and soap production in Mikang/Shandam/Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the North-Central zone.
Truth Live News learnt that the budget also includes a proposal to allocate N70 million for skill acquisition and trade equipment provision to youths, women, and seven retirees in Inyamaltu/Deba area of Gombe State in the North-East.
Additionally, the ministry plans to spend N70 million on supplying mini pick-up vans, mini shuttle buses, and motorcycles to constituents in Abakaliki Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, in the South-East.
Another component involves training, sensitisation, advocacy, and youth empowerment programmes against drug abuse in Zamfara State, which falls in the North-West, among several other constituency-level projects outlined in the budget.
The inclusion of these empowerment initiatives in the Federal Ministry of Works’ 2026 budget has sparked debate and raised questions about the appropriateness of such allocations within the ministry’s mandate.
The ministry, primarily responsible for federal roads, bridges, and infrastructure development, has faced scrutiny over these non-core expenditures amid broader discussions on fiscal priorities in the N58.18 trillion national budget. Critics argue that such programmes may be better suited to ministries focused on youth development, women affairs, or social welfare.
The proposals are part of the overall 2026 Appropriation Bill presented by President Bola Tinubu, which is currently under review by the National Assembly before final approval and implementation.
