Fresh revelations have raised serious concerns over spending in the Office of the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Niger Delta Affairs, after records showed that over ₦255 million was spent on gift hampers while many former Niger Delta agitators continue to suffer without support.

A review of Nigeria’s public payments portal, Govspend, revealed that the office approved ₦255.566 million for the supply of 165 gift hampers, baskets usually filled with assorted luxury items.

The payment was reportedly made on December 31, 2025, to a company identified as Ruku Limited, according to the records.

However, further checks show that Ruku Limited was only registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in May 2025, meaning the company was barely seven months old when it received the multimillion-naira contract.

The development has sparked anger among many Niger Delta stakeholders who say the spending reflects misplaced priorities at a time when many former agitators who laid down their arms for peace are living in hardship.

Several ex-agitators have repeatedly complained that they are struggling to survive, with many claiming they have been abandoned despite the sacrifices they made to stabilize the region and protect Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

Critics argue that while these former militants face economic hardship, it is disturbing that such a huge amount of public funds could be spent on luxury hampers rather than programs that support peace, rehabilitation and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta.

The situation has also raised legal and procurement questions. Under the Public Procurement Act of 2007, companies awarded government contracts are expected to have filed their annual returns and provide proof of tax compliance and operational capacity.

Observers are therefore questioning how a company that was only a few months old could have met these requirements before receiving such a large contract from a federal office.

The controversy is further fueling criticism of the Niger Delta advisory office, with many stakeholders calling for transparency and accountability in how funds meant for the development and stability of the region are being spent.