Nigeria’s Finance Ministry Faces Scrutiny Over N55 Million Spend on Sendforth Party

A recent review of public payments by SaharaReporters has revealed that the Federal Ministry of Finance spent over N55 million on a sendforth event for Udo Okonkwo Ekanem, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry. The payment, made on September 13, 2024, was made into the personal account of one Unoh Omolara, in connection with a party held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on September 6, 2024.

The event was organized to celebrate Ekanem’s “outstanding commitment” during his tenure, according to an official statement by the Ministry of Finance. However, the expenditure has raised questions due to concerns over the use of public funds for what critics view as an extravagant private event. Notably, the payment was made into a private account, which violates Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, specifically Chapter Seven, Section 713, which prohibits personal money from being paid into a government account or vice versa.

The N55 million spend on the sendforth is twice the amount allocated for a project in Jigawa State, where N28.3 million was used to drill 23 solar-powered boreholes and five hand-pump boreholes. This raises concerns about the misallocation of resources, especially considering the comparative importance of infrastructure projects for public welfare.

Experts have pointed out the growing issue of financial mismanagement and inefficiency within government ministries, departments, and agencies. While the government has pledged commitment to accountability, such instances fuel skepticism regarding the actual implementation of this promise.

The lavish spending on a personal celebration amidst Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges and issues with public sector accountability highlights a growing need for more rigorous oversight in the management of state resources.