As Debts Climb, 12 Governors Expand Aide Roster With 4,835 New Hires

As Debts Climb, 12 Governors Expand Aide Roster With 4,835 New Hires

Despite ongoing calls to cut governance costs and limit borrowing for salaries, approximately 12 state governors have appointed 4,385 aides since taking office in 2023, as confirmed by Saturday PUNCH……CONTINUE READING 

The 1999 Constitution, as amended, allows governors to appoint various aides, including Special Assistants, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Technical Assistants, Media Assistants, and Personal Assistants to support their duties.

While some governors appointed fewer than 50 aides, others, such as those from Taraba, Ekiti, Niger, Enugu, Adamawa, Kano, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Borno, Yobe, and Kogi states, have collectively hired 4,385 aides since their terms began. For instance, in May 2023, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo appointed 170 aides, including 43 Special Assistants and 131 Senior Special Assistants. Similarly, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni had 24 aides approved that month, and Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri appointed 50 Special Assistants, 47 media aides, and an additional 103 assistants later in the year.

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah appointed 24 Special Assistants and advisers in June 2023, with another 50 approved by the state House of Assembly in July. Kano Governor Abba Yusuf initially hired 81 aides and later appointed 209 more. Plateau Governor Muftwang appointed 136 aides in September 2023, while Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno hired 368 Personal Assistants and Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas added 194 assistants.

In 2024, the trend continued with Muftwang adding 204 aides in March and Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji appointing 110 aides in April. By May, Fintiri had added 182 Special Assistants, and Zulum appointed another 168 aides. Additionally, Kefas appointed 1,075 aides in July, and Ododo added 1,192 new aides in August. Cross River Governor Bassey Out also hired 83 aides in July.

During the first six months of these new administrations, state debt levels increased significantly. Niger State’s domestic debt rose from N121.95 billion to N139.80 billion, Plateau’s from N157.62 billion to N173.93 billion, and Cross River’s from N204.05 billion to N220.20 billion. External debts for eight states also grew by $89,747,901, with Cross River seeing the highest increase.

Olujide Oke, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in Lagos, emphasized that reducing unnecessary spending and the number of government appointees could help redirect funds to essential development areas.

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