Emmanuel Uti

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) disbursed N641 million in a single day for solar streetlight installations in a manner that raises accountability concerns. Payment records reviewed by FIJ on Govspend show that the Lagos-based research agency processed nine payments to seven contractors for street-lighting projects across Jigawa, Anambra, Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory on December 20, 2025.

The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) disbursed N297.7 million of public funds for non-academic projects like solar streetlights and boreholes in communities in Edo State in May, but none of these payments appear to be within the centre’s statutory mandate. FIJ found on Govspend that the Mathematical Centre made three payments to two different companies on May 11 for the projects, with descriptions that do not appear to be the centre’s responsibilities.

The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, disbursed N1.4 billion for projects ranging from rural roads and classroom construction to rice distribution, sports kits and solar street lights, despite these activities falling outside the institute’s core research mandate.