The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed spending more than N500 million on empowerment and social intervention programmes in its 2026 budget, including the training of hairdressers and make-up artists, distribution of grinding machines, motorcycles, mini-vans, and anti-drug abuse campaigns across selected states.
Details of the planned expenditure are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill uploaded on the Budget Office of the Federation’s website and reviewed on Thursday. The proposals are spread across different geopolitical zones of the country.
According to the document, the ministry plans to spend N35 million to provide grinding machines for women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in the South-South under budget item code ERGP 12234747.
Another N35 million is allocated for training and empowering women in hairdressing, make-up and soap production in Mikang/Shandam/Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the North-Central zone.
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The budget further proposes N70 million for skills acquisition and trade equipment for youths, women and seven retirees in Inyamaltu/Deba, Gombe State, in the North-East.
In the South-East, 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.
Another line item includes funding for training, sensitisation, advocacy and youth empowerment against drug abuse in Zamfara State in the North-West, alongside other constituency-based projects.
The inclusion of these empowerment initiatives in the Federal Ministry of Works’ 2026 budget has generated public debate, with questions raised over the appropriateness of such expenditures within the ministry’s core mandate.