No Provision For CoS Residence’s Renovation In 2024 Budget — Gbajabiamila

The Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has dismissed online stories that a huge sum of money was allocated for the renovation of his residence in the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

He said this in response to the backlash, especially on social media, following allegations that N10bn was earmarked for the renovation of the Chief of Staff residence and that N10.1bn was also set aside for his computer software.

In a message on his official X handle, Gbajabiamila, however, stated that the 2024 Appropriation Bill did not contain any provision for the renovation of his residence, and that he resides in his own apartment.

He explained that the amount cited online was for refurbishing the Presidential Quarters in Dodan Barracks and the Vice President’s Lodge in Lagos.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives also said that the renovation entails upgrading the information management and communications systems in the Presidency to meet modern standards and to procure vehicles for the staff of the Presidency.

He wrote: “I wish to make it clear that the 2024 Appropriation Bill does not have any provision for the renovation of any residence for the Chief of Staff to the President. I live in my private residence.”

Gbajabiamila said that healthy public discourse about government actions demands responsibility and engagement based on facts rather than assumptions.