Lagos Government Clarifies ₦4.2 Billion Budget Claim for Deputy Governor’s Office Furnishings
By The Furniture Times – Public Finance & Government Accountability Desk
LAGOS, Nigeria — A widely circulated report alleging that the Office of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State planned to spend ₦4.2 billion on office furniture and 30 microphones in its 2026 budget has sparked debate, but state officials have firmly rejected the claim as a misinterpretation of the state’s approved capital allocations.
The controversy began after an online news outlet reported that the deputy governor’s office would earmark roughly ₦4.2 billion specifically for high-cost office furniture and microphones. In response, the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget issued an official clarification, describing the narrative as inaccurate and misleading.
According to the ministry’s statement, the total capital allocation for the Deputy Governor’s Office in the 2026 fiscal year is ₦4,247,816,006, but only a tiny fraction — around ₦170 million — is set aside for office equipment, furniture and fittings. The bulk of the budget, amounting to ₦4,077,816,006, is allocated for the reconstruction of the Round House complex, a prominent six-storey administrative facility housing more than 50 government offices, including those of senior officials. The refurbishment includes structural upgrades, retrofitting and the provision of alternative energy infrastructure.
State officials underscored that the depiction of the entire capital vote as furniture expenditure was a misunderstanding of the budget structure. They released screenshots of the relevant sections of the budget master sheet to support their clarification and stressed the government’s commitment to transparency and fiscal discipline. Stakeholders and media organisations were urged to verify budget details through appropriate official channels before public dissemination.
The government reiterated that budgetary decisions are governed by established accounting standards and due process, and expressed regret for any confusion arising from the misclassification of budget figures.
