The newest figures from the Workplace of the Accountant-Common of the Federation (OAGF) present that the 36 states of the federation shared a complete of N8.66 billion as Ecology Fund for July 2025, disbursed in August 2025.
Nonetheless, the allocation sample has sparked debate over the equity and transparency of the standards utilized in figuring out the distribution.
In accordance with the doc titled “Account Allocation Committee for the Month of July 2025 Shared in August 2025,” Kano State obtained the highest whole ecology fund allocation of N362.08 million, comprising N350.91 million as Gross Statutory Allocation and N11.17 million as Trade Acquire Allocation.
This determine locations Kano far forward of a number of oil-producing states grappling with extreme environmental degradation linked to grease exploration and industrial actions.
Against this, Rivers State, which hosts main oil infrastructure and the Ogoni area lengthy related to ecological devastation, obtained N246.18 million, whereas Bayelsa State, one other main oil-producing state, obtained N201.98 million.
Northwest and Northern States dominate high recipients
The info additionally reveals that many northern states dominated the highest ten recipients.
Following Kano are Borno (N283.65 million), Katsina (N280.60 million), and Bauchi (N273.05 million), all states contending with desertification, soil erosion, and deforestation.
Southern states, together with Delta (N231.78 million) and Akwa Ibom (N229.51 million), which have traditionally suffered oil spillages and flooding, obtained comparatively much less.
In whole, the federal authorities shared N8.39 billion in gross statutory allocations and N267.12 billion as trade acquire, bringing the combination Ecology Fund disbursement to N8.66 billion for July.
Public outcry over allocation standards
The distribution has drawn sharp criticism from financial analysts and social media commentators, questioning the methodology utilized in sharing the Ecology Fund.
Financial analyst Kalu Aja, reacting to the allocation by way of his verified deal with on X (previously Twitter), queried why Kano obtained a bigger share than Rivers State, regardless of the latter’s environmental burden from oil manufacturing.
“Kano will get greater than Rivers, which has Ogoni and pumps the oil. Sure, Kano has its ecological points with desertification, however what are the standards to share ecological funds? Please don’t inform me it’s the identical FAAC method?” Aja wrote.
One other X person, referencing industrial air pollution in Ogun State, additionally criticized the equity of the allocation: “Cement and lots of different factories in Ogun State make their setting uninhabitable. Sango/Ota alone in Ogun has extra factories than Kano, however Kano obtained nearly twice the ecological fund. Fiscal federalism certainly,” the person said.
Environmental disparities spotlight federalism debate
The rising scrutiny displays Nigeria’s long-standing debate over fiscal federalism and the administration of particular intervention funds.
Whereas Kano faces desert encroachment and drought challenges, oil-producing states take care of gasoline flaring, flooding, and soil contamination.
Environmental advocates argue that an equitable ecology fund ought to think about precise ecological injury and danger depth, not inhabitants or landmass.
Specialists recommend that with out a clear needs-based framework, the fund dangers deepening regional mistrust and undermining the purpose of environmental remediation.
Breakdown of allocations
Different notable allocations embrace:
- Lagos State – N305.80 million
- Kaduna State – N299.09 million
- Benue State – N256.00 million
- Sokoto State – N251.57 million
- Oyo State – N256.03 million
States with the least allocations embrace Bayelsa (N201.98 million) and Ebonyi (N204.22 million).
Requires evaluate and transparency
Coverage watchers are calling for a complete evaluate of the ecology fund sharing method to make sure allocations align with environmental realities quite than basic fiscal standards.
Barrister Ralph Udo, the Principal Accomplice at Ralph Udo Chambers, referred to as for a complete evaluate of the ecology fund framework, insisting that allocations should replicate the precise stage of environmental degradation, danger, and vulnerability.
“Until there’s transparency in how these figures are derived, the Ecology Fund will stay a political slush fund quite than a instrument for environmental justice,” Udo warned.
Analysts warn that until the disbursement mannequin is restructured, Nigeria dangers perpetuating environmental injustice that leaves probably the most affected communities underfunded.
Within the phrases of the authorized practitioner, “It’s a fiscal absurdity sporting an ecological masks.”
What it is best to know
The Ecology Fund was established to supply devoted financing for managing ecological issues equivalent to flooding, desertification, erosion, oil spills, and different environmental disasters throughout Nigeria.
The fund is a part of the month-to-month Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for disbursements, managed by the Workplace of the Accountant-Common of the Federation (OAGF).
Nonetheless, the exact standards used to find out how a lot every state receives stay opaque.
Critics argue that it follows the identical population- and landmass-based method as common FAAC allocations, quite than precise ecological want, a view seemingly strengthened by this newest distribution.
General, the present distribution raises elementary questions on whether or not Nigeria’s ecological funding system really addresses environmental realities or just mirrors its broader fiscal imbalance.
Till there’s reform and transparency, areas most impacted by environmental degradation might proceed to be underfunded.
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