The Nigerian Federal Government spent a substantial N3.76 billion on diesel for generators and their maintenance across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a two-year period. This expenditure, tracked through GovSpend, BudgIT’s public finance platform, reveals the persistent reliance on captive power generation due to the country’s unreliable electricity grid. The spending covered direct diesel purchases, regular refueling of high-capacity generators, and routine maintenance to ensure operational continuity. Interestingly, the expenditure decreased by 25% in the second year, from N2.15 billion to N1.61 billion, indicating a potential shift or improved efficiency, although the overall reliance on diesel generators remained significant.
A closer analysis of the spending reveals that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) incurred the highest expenditure, totaling approximately N706 million across the two years. Their meticulous records detailed consistent purchases of 6,000 to 10,000 liters of diesel for specific generator capacities (400KVA, 750KVA, and 1,000KVA) powering different sections of the Shehu Shagari Complex. Each diesel purchase typically cost between N16.4 million and N17.5 million. Following closely behind were the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) at N639 million and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at N635.5 million. The NDA’s expenses were consistently split between fuel costs and maintenance, with both categories experiencing price increases in the second year. The EFCC, meanwhile, made a large lump-sum payment of N500 million in December of the first year to settle outstanding diesel debts and continued to allocate funds for generator fueling in the subsequent year, albeit under a different accounting line.
Police institutions constituted another significant expenditure cluster, with a combined spending of around N550 million over the two years. This included purchases for various Police Formations and Commands, as well as the Nigeria Police Academy. Records show substantial diesel deliveries to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, ranging from 40,000 to 90,000 liters at a time. Beyond these major spenders, numerous other agencies contributed to the overall diesel expenditure. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) incurred substantial maintenance costs for generators powering vital vaccine cold chains. The Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Works, and the Office of the Surveyor-General regularly purchased diesel in large quantities (7,000 to 15,000 liters) for their headquarters. Other agencies, like the National Identity Management Commission and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, also allocated funds for generator maintenance and servicing.
By analyzing records specifying diesel quantities, it’s estimated that MDAs purchased at least 982,000 liters of diesel over the two years. This figure is likely an underestimate, as it excludes numerous entries that lacked specific volume details. The OSGF alone accounted for an estimated 310,000 liters, reflecting their consistent diesel purchases. The Police Force, with several large deliveries to their headquarters, logged approximately 330,000 liters. The Federal Ministry of Justice documented multiple large diesel deliveries, totaling roughly 110,000 liters. Universities also featured in the data, with the University of Lagos purchasing 45,000 liters and the University of Benin procuring 4,500 liters for its power station.
Numerous other agencies, including the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, SHEDA Science and Technology Complex, the National Merit Award, the Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, the Nigeria Police Academy, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal University of Technology, Babura, all recorded diesel purchases ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of liters. These figures highlight the pervasive reliance on diesel generators across various government functions, from powering offices and courts to supporting laboratories, classrooms, and critical cold storage facilities.
Despite a 25% reduction in diesel expenditure in the second year, the ongoing and widespread spending clearly demonstrates that generator-powered electricity remains a significant cost factor in governance. The OSGF, NDA, EFCC, and Police institutions accounted for approximately 69% of the total two-year expenditure. The remaining 31% was distributed among various agencies in health, works, education, and research, all bound by the same need for off-grid power solutions. This situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable alternatives, echoing the House of Representatives’ call for the adoption of renewable energy solutions in government facilities. The House highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the alignment with Nigeria’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions. The persistent reliance on diesel generators not only strains public finances but also contributes to environmental concerns, making the exploration of renewable energy options a crucial step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective future.
