The United States has condemned the extravagant spending habits of some Nigerian state governors, citing concerns over growing economic hardship across the country.

The criticism follows reports that several governors are allocating billions of naira to luxury projects and new government buildings, even as poverty deepens and essential public services decline.

In a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), the U.S. Mission in Nigeria warned that such unchecked spending—especially on lavish infrastructure—erodes public trust and exacerbates inequality.

“While Nigerians are urged to endure economic hardship ‘like labor pains,’ some governors are splurging billions on new government houses,” the U.S. Mission noted, citing a recent investigative report by The Africa Report.

The publication highlighted how some state governments have prioritized building extravagant residences and office complexes, often neglecting more urgent developmental needs in the process.

“Such alleged lack of fiscal responsibility fuels inequality and erodes public trust,” it stated in the tweet.

Meanwhile, BudgIT Nigeria, a civic-tech organization promoting transparency in public finance, recently criticized state governments for prioritizing underutilized infrastructure over vital sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre echoed these concerns, stating: “There is more money, little accountability, and no priority.” The group added that many governors operate with impunity, emboldened by weak institutional oversight and limited public participation in the budgeting process.