The Abia State government has said that a reported ₦210 million allocation for a photocopier in its 2026 budget was a typographical error and not an actual planned expenditure.
Abia State’s 2026 Appropriation Bill was passed in late 2025, outlining budget figures and capital expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year.
The bill includes provisions for government functions, services, and equipment procurement across state offices. Budget documents are reviewed by stakeholders, civil society actors, and the media after approval to understand allocations to different sectors and assets.
A line in the approved budget document drew public attention when it appeared to show that over ₦210 million was set aside to buy a single photocopier, a figure many readers found surprising given the high amount relative to typical office equipment prices.
In response to the matter, the Abia State government issued a clarification stating that the figure was a typographical mistake in the published budget document.
Officials confirmed that the large amount attributed to the photocopier was not an intentional or legitimate allocation.
The original report that prompted scrutiny noted a figure of roughly ₦210,831,142 associated with the purchase of a photocopier for the Abia State Lagos Liaison Office.
That entry was highlighted by online reviews of the budget document and widely shared across social media.
The government’s clarification did not include a revised correct figure for the photocopier item in the publicly shared budget documents. The statement focused on correcting the published error rather than providing a detailed breakdown of intended spending on office equipment.
The clarification from the Abia State government removes any suggestion that citizens’ funds were explicitly budgeted at the large sum for a single photocopier.
This ensures that public understanding of the budget reflects official intent and avoids misinterpretation of the state’s fiscal plans.
The incident underscores the importance of accuracy in budget publication processes, especially in a climate where fiscal transparency and accountability are key concerns for residents, investors, and civil society organisations tracking state finances.
Budget documents are central tools for planning and oversight. Clear and correct information supports informed discussions by lawmakers, the media, and taxpayers about government priorities, capital investments, and expenditure efficiency.
