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Security Votes: SERAP Gives Governors Seven Days To Explain Spending
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors across Nigeria, demanding immediate disclosure of how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023.
In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged state governors to not only make public the details of their security vote expenditures but also to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate and monitor the funds disbursed under this opaque category of spending.
“The escalating insecurity in several states is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger, and leading to other grave human rights violations,” SERAP stated.
The organisation referenced the recent massacre in Benue State and broader national insecurity as a compelling justification for their demand.
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According to SERAP, despite billions of naira being allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing to uphold their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of the people.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasised that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” warning that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds has enabled widespread misuse and undermined public trust.
“In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over N375 billion in security votes.
“Yet, insecurity continues to spiral out of control in many states, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between allocated resources and actual results.”
Security votes—typically large, discretionary funds allocated to state executives ostensibly for improving security—are widely criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability. While governments often cite national security as a reason for nondisclosure, SERAP argues there is no legal basis for hiding public spending under this guise.
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“While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrecy from the public, there is no constitutional or legal justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” the letter read.
Referring to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government, including states.
“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes,” the group added.
SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days of the receipt or publication of the FoI request would prompt legal action to compel compliance.
“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold it,” SERAP stated. “The people have a right to know how their money is being used, especially in matters as crucial as security.”
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The group further argued that the misuse and secrecy around security votes have hindered meaningful oversight and contributed to a culture of impunity, where governors view these funds as personal entitlements rather than tools to enhance public safety.
“Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have limited the ability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement continued.
“This is a grave violation of public trust and a breach of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations,” SERAP noted.
Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are mandated to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”
It added that proper use of security votes should be directed at improving the security situation or returned to the public treasury.
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SERAP’s position came as a result of the recent assessments from international organisations.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria has been listed among 39 countries classified as being in “fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).”
“The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.
“Millions are experiencing acute food insecurity, while severe gaps in education and healthcare undermine national development,” SERAP said.
The organisation concluded by urging governors to lead a transparent and honest national dialogue about the security crisis and the real impact of security vote expenditures.
“Disclosing these details will not only build public trust but also catalyse more effective, collective responses to the worsening security challenges across the country,” SERAP stated.
News
N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.
The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.
At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.
Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.
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Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.
“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.
“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.
This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”
“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
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“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”
Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.
Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.
Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.
He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.
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“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.
He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.
“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.
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“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.
DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
News
IGP Orders Officers Display Name Tag On Uniform, Gives Update On State Police
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, has ordered all police personnel to always have their name tags on their uniforms for easy identification.
Disu disclosed that only police personnel who are undercover are exempted from displaying their name tags.
Speaking on Tuesday, Disu said: “All police officers should have their name tags. All of us on the high table have our names apart from the undercover among us so if you look at all the Commissioners of Police we have our name tags, so it’s not our standard.
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“All the Commissioners of Police are here and that is why we called this meeting, we have list of things like this that we will want to discuss with the Commissioners of Police, we have told them earlier and we will still let them know that every that happens within their area of jurisdiction falls under their control.”
On the issue of state police, the IGP said: “Since we got the signal that the Federal Government of Nigeria intend to establish State Police and since we are the federal police, we decided to take the bull by the horn and put down our own side of what we believe on how the state police should be run.
“A lot of things were taken into consideration, a lot of comparative analysis was done and it has been transmitted to the National Assembly.”
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