The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has issued a call to Nigeria’s 36 state governors to provide a public account of how they have utilized security vote allocations since May 29, 2023.
In a Freedom of Information request dated June 28, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the governors to invite Nigeria’s major anti-graft agencies — the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission — to investigate and track the disbursement of security funds.
“In the wake of the Benue massacre and the escalating insecurity across several states, there is an overwhelming public interest in knowing how security votes are spent,” Oluwadare stated.
SERAP criticized what it described as the consistent failure of state leaders to channel the substantial funds earmarked for security towards genuinely safeguarding citizens.
“Despite the billions of naira allocated annually, many governors have failed to fulfill their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of citizens, as mandated by Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution,” the organization emphasized.
The group noted that the opaque management of security votes has become a breeding ground for corruption and continues to erode public trust in state leadership.
Highlighting a recent Supreme Court ruling, SERAP maintained that state governors are no longer immune from scrutiny under the FOI Act. “The Supreme Court has unequivocally affirmed that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government,” it said.
The organization warned that any governor who fails to comply with the FOI request within seven days would face legal action aimed at compelling transparency.
Citing a World Bank report, SERAP pointed out that Nigeria remains categorized as a fragile, conflict-affected country where insecurity is a significant contributor to extreme poverty and worsening human development.
“The judgment sends a powerful message: governors can no longer conceal how they spend public funds under the guise of security,” SERAP said. “Opening up about the use of security votes would promote a more honest conversation with citizens about the country’s security challenges and what is being done to address them.”
The group concluded by stressing that accountability in the use of public funds is crucial to reversing the deteriorating state of security and restoring citizens’ confidence in government.
