*Nigeria's Streetlight Budget Sparks Fiscal Concerns*

By Justin Huholds

A recent commentary by financial analyst Kalu Aja has ignited debate over the allocation of N393.29 billion for streetlights in Nigeria's 2025 budget. With an estimated cost of N266 million per streetlight, Aja questions the prudence of such a substantial investment, suggesting that Nigeria should be the "Light of the World" given the budget's magnitude.

The calculation, based on 1,477 streetlights, raises eyebrows, prompting Aja to ask rhetorically, "Are we installing the sun?" This critique highlights concerns about transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Nigeria's infrastructure projects.

The issue is further complicated by the National Assembly's insertion of 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 budget, as revealed by BudgIT. This marks a recurring problem in Nigeria's budgetary process, with successive budgets featuring questionable project insertions that fail to address the country's infrastructure gap.

Aja's commentary serves as a call to action for greater scrutiny and oversight in budgetary processes, emphasizing the need for transparent and accountable governance in infrastructure development. As Nigeria navigates its economic challenges, this debate underscores the importance of critical evaluation and public discourse in ensuring that budgetary allocations align with the nation's best interests.