Serious controversy don burst as reports show say Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu allegedly set aside ₦8.05 billion for construction and renovation of churches and mosques across Nigeria.

The development don trigger heavy reactions from politicians, analysts and concerned Nigerians, with many questioning whether religious projects suppose be government priority at a time when millions of citizens dey battle hunger, insecurity and hardship.

According to reports, about ₦6.14 billion was earmarked for mosque-related projects while ₦1.91 billion was allocated for church-related projects.

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, na one of the first people wey criticize the move.

Through statement from him media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku question why government go spend billions on religious projects when many Nigerians still dey suffer from poverty and economic hardship.

According to am, if public money dey go churches and mosques, government suppose tell Nigerians exactly which worship centres go benefit and where the projects go happen.

“Religion no suppose become cover-up for questionable spending of public funds,” Atiku talk.

He challenge the Tinubu administration make dem publish names of all beneficiary churches, mosques, project locations and agencies wey go execute the projects.

Atiku warn say if government fail to provide full details, many Nigerians go believe say religion dey used hide suspicious budget allocations.

Another critic, David Etim, wey be Project Lead of Calabar and Gulf of Guinea Municipal and Trade Centre, describe the spending as misplaced priority.

According to am, the money for churches and mosques for fit better serve Nigerians if government invest am for hospitals, schools and industries.

“If government get choice between building church or hospital, I believe say helping people through healthcare and education go please God pass,” Etim talk.

Etim argue say over 140 million Nigerians still dey live in multidimensional poverty and government resources suppose focus on improving lives directly.

Meanwhile, the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics (AERE) also react to the controversy.

The group agree say people get reason to ask questions but insist say the bigger issue be Nigeria growing debt problem.

According to AERE Chairman, Kelvin Oye, the ₦8.05 billion allocation represent only about 0.0118% of the proposed ₦68.32 trillion national budget.

The group argue say public attention suppose focus more on the planned ₦31.45 trillion budget deficit and government dependence on borrowing.

AERE also raise concern over reports say ministries wey no get direct connection with religious activities allegedly include church and mosque projects inside their budgets.

According to the organisation, such practice fit reduce transparency and make public monitoring difficult.

On him own side, PDP chieftain for Lagos, Chief Lanre Adebowale, accuse the APC-led government of using the allocations for political purposes.

He claim say the move fit be strategy to gather support ahead of the 2027 general election.

Adebowale question why na only churches and mosques dem mention for the allocations inside country wey get different religions and beliefs.

“Nigerians need security, jobs, food and hospitals more than new churches and mosques,” he talk.

As reactions continue to pour in, many Nigerians dey call on the Federal Government to provide full details of the proposed projects and explain how the funds go be spent.