By Iyemad David
A public policy analyst, Mr Tijjani Sarki, has faulted the high cost of governance in Nigeria’s 2026 budget, saying it comes at a time when inflation is worsening the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
Mr Sarki, a good governance advocate, said rising prices of food, transportation and basic services had continued to erode household incomes, making large allocations to governance institutions difficult for citizens to justify.
According to him, budgets are not merely financial instruments but moral documents that reflect a government’s priorities and sensitivity to citizens’ lived realities.
“When inflation is eating deep into salaries and families are struggling to survive, expanding the cost of governance sends a troubling signal,” he said.
He noted that significant allocations to the Presidency, National Assembly and other top government offices appeared disconnected from the economic hardship facing many Nigerians.
He said the growing gap between governance spending and household welfare posed a threat to public trust and democratic legitimacy.
“Nigerians are not asking for a weak state. “They are asking for value — responsive leadership, efficient institutions and policies that translate into real improvements in daily life,” he said.
The analyst warned that when governance appears insulated from the hardship it routinely asks citizens to endure, confidence in government erodes.
He stressed that effective governance required funding, but added that such spending must demonstrate empathy, accountability and measurable impact.
“At a time when citizens are making painful adjustments, sacrifice must be shared. “Democracy should not feel expensive, distant or disconnected from the people it is meant to serve,” he said
He urged the government to align public spending more closely with social welfare priorities, including food security, healthcare, education and job creation, to help cushion the effects of inflation.
He added that unless Nigerians begin to feel tangible relief through improved services and reduced living costs, concerns over the cost of governance would continue to dominate.
