A non-governmental organisation, Oganihu Ebonyi, has condemned Governor Francis Nwifuru’s religious subsidy policy in the state, labelling it as a misappropriation of resources and an extravagant misuse of funds.
Oganihu Ebonyi, composed of dedicated professionals committed to the progress and development of Ebonyi State, expressed outrage that a state suffering from the highest poverty rate in the Southeast would allocate billions of Naira to sponsor select individuals on religious pilgrimages around the world.
In a statement signed by Ani Nwachukwu Agwu, Director of Research and Publications, and Charles Otu, Director of Media and Communications, and released to newsmen in Abakaliki, the group stated that it is a grave injustice for a government that claims to care for the people of Ebonyi to engage in such frivolous expenditures, forsaking essential investments in security, basic education, primary healthcare, maternal and child care, rural roads, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The group expressed concern that Ebonyi State is one of the few states dedicating a considerable portion of its public spending to religious subsidies, to the detriment of critical investments that drive economic growth and development. At a time of extreme economic hardship, famine, and mass poverty—exacerbated by widespread macroeconomic instability, hyperinflation, and local governments struggling to pay salaries—the group regards religious subsidies as a severe misallocation of funds.
The statement further stated: “We stand with the citizens of Ebonyi in the public outrage surrounding the state government’s decision to expend N551.5 million on subsidising the 2025 Hajj. When combined with funds allocated for Christian pilgrimages and other state-sponsored religious excursions, these subsidies amount to billions of Naira, consuming a significant portion of the state’s annual appropriations.
“In addition, the recent wave of violent attacks on rural communities, such as the Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Council—where bandits have ravaged properties and livelihoods worth billions of Naira, taken the lives of innocent people, and displaced thousands—indicates a disturbing resurgence of rural banditry in Ebonyi State.
“The failure of security agencies to effectively counter these attacks raises serious questions about the adequacy of the state’s security response. Why then should the Ebonyi State Government prioritise religious subsidies over the urgent need to secure lives and property? What reasoning supports this decision?
“Another alarming issue in the state is the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) due to the nonpayment of salaries and arrears spanning six months. It is unacceptable for teachers to go without pay for such an extended period without any official accountability. This negligence in handling the strike reflects poorly on the government’s policy priorities and can be viewed as a form of economic sabotage.
“In the meantime, we are refraining from delving into the numerous allegations of grand corruption involving heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and other procurement irregularities reported in the awarding of major state contracts. We are currently gathering evidence and preparing to challenge these issues legally.
“Nevertheless, we are committed to pursuing legal action to ascertain whether rampant corruption is part of the Ebonyi State Government’s official policy, which we believe will enable more active citizen engagement in resource governance and administration in the state.
“Returning to the N551.5 million allocated for religious subsidies, which is merely the first instalment in the billions wasted annually on such excursions, we call upon Governor Francis Nwifuru to retract this policy and apologise to the citizens of Ebonyi—voters and taxpayers alike—whose trust in the government’s commitment to pursuing a better life and delivering democratic dividends has been severely undermined. While we uphold that religious freedom is a democratic right, those who wish to travel the world to worship should bear the costs themselves.
“The expanding envelope of religious subsidies in this state is a misguided priority that must be challenged by every patriotic citizen. We will remain vigilant regarding the issue of religious subsidies and will continue to adopt new democratic strategies to contest their legitimacy and the various policies connected to them.”
