2026 Budget: Works Ministry proposes over N500m for hairdressers, make-up artists, grinding machines

The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed spending more than N500 million on a range of empowerment programmes, including the training of hairdressers and make-up artists, the distribution of grinding machines, motorcycles and mini-vans, as well as anti-drug abuse sensitisation initiatives in selected states.

The proposed expenditures are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill published on the Budget Office website and reviewed on Thursday.

A breakdown of the budget indicates that the projects are spread across different geopolitical zones of the country, largely as constituency-level interventions.

One of the allocations, listed under budget item code ERGP 12234747, earmarks N35 million for the provision of grinding machines to women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in the South-South, although the exact number of beneficiaries was not specified.

Another N35 million is proposed for the training and empowerment of women in hairdressing, make-up artistry and soap production in Mikang/Shandam/Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the North-Central zone.

In the North-East, the ministry plans to allocate N70 million for skills acquisition and the supply of trade equipment to youths, women and seven retirees in the Inyamaltu/Deba area of Gombe State.

The budget further outlines a N70 million proposal for the distribution of mini pick-up vans, mini shuttle buses and motorcycles to beneficiaries in Abakaliki Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, in the South-East.

Also captured in the document are funds for training, sensitisation, advocacy and youth empowerment programmes focused on drug abuse prevention in Zamfara State in the North-West, alongside several other constituency-based projects.

The presence of these empowerment-related items in the Federal Ministry of Works’ 2026 budget has generated public debate, with observers questioning whether such allocations align with the core responsibilities of the ministry.