When significant numbers are printed in headlines, who checks the receipts? According to Premium Times, Nigeria’s Ministry of Information drastically overstated its recent asset recovery claims. What was publicly cited as ₦967.5 billion in recovered assets amounts to $105.9 million - a figure confirmed by official documents and budget records from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
This revelation not only corrects the numbers, it challenges the trust Nigerians place in public data.
Key Takeaway
- The government initially claimed nearly ₦1 trillion in recovered assets in a public post.
- Verified records show only $105.9 million (approx. ₦127 billion) was legally reclaimed.
- Most of the funds were returned to the national treasury or integrated into the budget.
- The Ministry of Information later deleted the inflated figure without explanation.
