The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has fired a salvo at Nigeria's 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to publicly account for the spending of an estimated N14 trillion collected as fuel subsidy savings.
The organisation also threatened to institute legal proceedings should the state governors and the FCT Minister fail to comply with the demand for transparency.
The N14 trillion represents a portion of the increased Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds shared among the three tiers of government since the removal of the petrol subsidy in mid-2023.
According to SERAP, the FAAC distribution for 2024 alone surged to N28.78 trillion, a 79 per cent jump from the previous year, with state governments' allocations rising by 45.5 per cent to N5.22 trillion.
The group frowned at what it termed a lack of corresponding improvement in the welfare of citizens, pointing out that the billions in increased allocations have not translated into improved access to basic public services such as quality healthcare and education for poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who are, ironically, bearing the brunt of the subsidy removal.
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In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated October 4, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group insisted that the savings must be spent solely for the benefit of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Failure to do so, SERAP warned, "would result in a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy on these Nigerians."
SERAP urged public officials to invite anti-graft agencies -- the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) -- to track and monitor spending, ensuring that the money is not diverted into private pockets.
The human rights group also expressed concern over the alleged mismanagement of the funds, stating that the spending details have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.
"We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
"If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your state and the FCT to comply with our request in the public interest," the group added.