By Chioma Obinna

The Federal Government on Tuesday launched a sweeping 560-page compendium detailing the implementation of Constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects across Nigeria, in a move aimed at tightening accountability and exposing the scale of public investments in grassroots development.

At the unveiling in Abuja, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, declared that the publication marks a significant milestone in strengthening transparency, accountability and effective service delivery.

She warned that constituency projects must no longer exist only on paper but deliver visible impact to ordinary Nigerians.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the First Lady said Constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects remain critical tools for closing development gaps and bringing government closer to the people.

She said: “These projects are vital instruments for bridging the gap between government and the people, ensuring that development is not abstract but visible, accessible and responsive to the needs of our communities.”

The compendium, titled Actualising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the Implementation of Constituency Projects, is the first comprehensive documentation of federal constituency interventions across sectors, including roads, healthcare, education, water supply, rural electrification, security, and youth empowerment.

Speaking, the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Rt. Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo, explained that the Ministry’s role in monitoring, verification, certification and coordination of intervention projects has become more critical amid growing public concerns over abandoned or poorly executed constituency projects.

According to him, between 2023 and 2025, the government made substantial investments in strategic sectors, stressing that the administration remains focused on ensuring that intervention funds translate into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
“This compendium is not just a record of projects; it is a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and inclusive national development,” Jisalo said.

Presenting the Annual Status Report, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, disclosed that N100 billion was appropriated for 1,347 constituency projects in the 2023 budget, while another N100 billion was earmarked for 1,120 projects in the 2024 budget.

He revealed that project verification performance improved significantly from 28 per cent in 2023 to 43.1 per cent in 2024, with the 2025 verification exercise already underway.

The disclosure comes amid persistent public scrutiny over the effectiveness of constituency projects, many of which have been criticised over the years for poor execution, duplication, and weak oversight.
Ihemelandu announced plans to convene town hall sensitisation forums in over 200 rural communities, alongside a national conference of all 774 local government chairmen before the end of the year.

In her review of the compendium, Professor Ifeoma Udoye urged the Presidency and the National Assembly to increase funding for the Ministry of Special Duties and strengthen its institutional framework to enhance oversight and delivery.