Lagos, Nigeria – 29 June 2025

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a prominent Nigerian anti-corruption organisation, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Nigeria’s 36 state governors to provide a detailed account of their expenditure of public funds allocated as “security votes” since 29 May 2023. The demand, announced via SERAP’s official X account on Sunday, aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these funds, which are intended to guarantee the security and welfare of residents across the country.

In a statement, SERAP emphasised the urgent need for clarity on how these substantial sums have been spent, particularly amid persistent insecurity plaguing many Nigerian states. The organisation argues that public disclosure of spending details is critical to fostering trust and ensuring that resources are used effectively to address pressing challenges such as banditry, insurgency, and communal violence.

“Governors must demonstrate that these funds are genuinely serving the public interest,” SERAP’s statement implied, underscoring the group’s commitment to holding state authorities accountable. The ultimatum requires governors to publish comprehensive reports detailing the allocation, disbursement, and impact of security votes within the stipulated timeframe.

Security votes, a controversial budget line item in Nigeria, are discretionary funds allocated to state governors and other top officials, ostensibly for addressing urgent security concerns. However, critics have long argued that the lack of oversight and transparency in their use has led to widespread misuse and corruption, with little tangible improvement in public safety.