According to payment records published on the Govspend website, the NIS paid N8.2 million for the rehabilitation of an overhead water tank at the residence of the Comptroller of Immigration Service (CIS) in Dutsen Kure, Minna, Niger State.
A SaharaReporters review of Nigeria’s public payments portal, Govspend, has revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) spent millions of naira on infrastructure works at the official residence of a top officer.
According to payment records published on the Govspend website, the NIS paid N8.2 million for the rehabilitation of an overhead water tank at the residence of the Comptroller of Immigration Service (CIS) in Dutsen Kure, Minna, Niger State.
The payment, made to a company identified as Assist Energy Limited, was described on the portal as “rehabilitation of overhead tank at the residence of CIS" and was made in February 2024.
Govspend is a federal transparency platform that tracks government expenditures and payments made by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to improve public accountability and access to fiscal information.
The report comes amid persistent concerns over public sector expenditure priorities, especially at a time when several government institutions continue to face funding constraints affecting service delivery and infrastructure maintenance.
In a related development, SaharaReporters also reviewed the Kogi State 2025 proposed budget, which revealed a separate allocation for the construction of overhead water tanks at the personal residences of state lawmakers.
According to the budget document, a line item titled “construction of overhead tank to each of the twenty-five honorable member’s house” was included in the proposal. A total sum of N12 million was earmarked for the project.
Both the federal payment recorded on Govspend and the state-level budgetary allocation underscore ongoing debates around transparency, fiscal discipline, and the use of public funds for facilities tied to official residences of government officials.
Concerns have been raised over the prudence of public office holders. For instance, N119 million was reportedly budgeted for the purchase of a Land Cruiser for the Director-General of the Nigerian Energy Commission.
According to the budget description, the money is meant for the “Procurement of brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep for the Director General/CEO of the Commission”.
Previously, SaharaReporters also reported that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) planned to spend N496 million on photocopier machines and office furniture.
The budget description read, "Purchase of office equipment including supply and installation of three numbers heavy duty photocopy machines for cabinet affairs office end room and supply of office Furnitures."
A review of the approved 2025 budget showed that a sum of N100 million was approved for the purchase and supply of grinding machines for empowerment in the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos State, under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Further review showed that another sum of N100 million was budgeted for the supply and distribution of grinding machines in the Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency of Rivers State, also under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.