Lagos spending: N19.02bn on refreshments and honorarium in six months, but only N7.3bn on primary healthcare, report says

The Lagos State Government spent about ₦19.02 billion on refreshments and honorarium payments between January and June 2026, more than twice what it spent on primary healthcare in the same period, according to an analysis of official figures by SaharaReporters.

The figures are drawn from the state's 2026 second-quarter budget implementation report, which covers the first six months of the year. The same report shows that Lagos spent ₦7.33 billion on primary healthcare, out of ₦19.23 billion set aside for the whole year.

The report also shows that the state spent ₦261.8 billion on servicing its debts in the six months, more than 20 times what it spent on primary healthcare and basic education combined. Basic education received ₦4.33 billion. SaharaReporters had earlier reported that no money was released in the period for ₦7.45 billion worth of cancer and dialysis projects.

The spending comes at a time when Lagos health workers have repeatedly protested over pay, deductions from their salaries and staff shortages in public hospitals.

Overall, Lagos had spent about ₦1.54 trillion, or 34.6 per cent of its ₦4.445 trillion 2026 budget, by the end of June.

The Lagos State Government had not responded to the report at the time of publishing.