VP Shettima's Office Spent ₦10 Million on Two Pressing Irons, Public Records Reveal
Public expenditure records obtained from the GovSpend civic technology platform have uncovered a series of questionable government purchases that are sparking fresh concerns about how public funds are being managed at the highest levels of Nigeria's administration. The findings, reported by Sahara Reporters, highlight significant transparency issues in procurement practices.
₦10 Million for Two Industrial Pressing Irons
According to the records, on June 24, 2023, the State House Headquarters Transit Account paid ₦10 million for the supply of two industrial pressing irons to the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima. The payment was made to Riteddy Resources Limited, amounting to ₦5 million per pressing iron. The record provided no specifications for the items purchased, no technical justification for the high cost, and no explanation of what distinguishes an industrial pressing iron worth ₦5 million from those available elsewhere at much lower prices. This lack of detail leaves critical questions about procurement transparency and value for money unanswered.
Additional Questionable Expenditures
The pressing iron purchase is not an isolated case. A separate review of GovSpend records revealed other eyebrow-raising expenditures:
- Groundnut Oil: On May 26, 2025, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department spent ₦6.8 million on 20 litres of groundnut oil. In comparison, a 25-litre container of groundnut oil, which is larger than the quantity purchased, currently sells for between ₦52,000 and ₦96,000 in the open market. How the office arrived at ₦6.8 million for a smaller quantity remains unexplained.
- Staff Tea: On August 29, 2025, ₦8.6 million was paid to Diamond Seasons Nigeria Limited for staff tea covering just two months, May and June.
- Police Food Items: Under Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigerian Police Force spent over ₦239.4 million in 2025 on food items alone, including cartons of Geisha, biscuits, Ovaltine, milk, Milo, and canned baked beans.
Transparency and Public Trust Concerns
GovSpend is a civic technology tool designed to make government spending data accessible to the public, aiming to promote accountability. The figures it has captured paint a troubling picture of procurement practices that, at minimum, demand clear explanations from the involved agencies. At worst, these expenditures represent exactly the kind of spending that has long fueled public cynicism about how Nigeria's resources are managed. None of the agencies involved has issued public statements addressing these figures, further exacerbating concerns over transparency and fiscal responsibility.
These revelations come amid ongoing debates about government efficiency and the need for stricter oversight in public spending. The lack of detailed justifications for such high-cost items raises red flags about potential waste or mismanagement, underscoring the importance of robust procurement frameworks and public scrutiny to ensure taxpayer funds are used appropriately.
