2026 Budget: Ministry of Works under Umahi Proposes Over N500m for Make-up Artists, Hairdressers, Grinding Machines

The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed to spend more than N500 million in the 2026 fiscal year on skills training, empowerment programmes, and the supply of equipment including grinding machines, motorcycles, mini-vans, and beauty tools across selected states.

Details of the proposals are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill published on the Budget Office website and reviewed on Tuesday.

The budget shows that the planned expenditures are spread across different geopolitical zones and are listed under several empowerment and advocacy-related items.

Under budget code ERGP 12234747, the ministry proposes to spend N35 million on the supply of grinding machines to women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in the South-South. The document does not specify the number of machines to be supplied.

Another N35 million is earmarked for the training and empowerment of women in hairdressing, makeup, and soap production in Mikang, Shandam, and Quampan Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the North-Central zone.

In Gombe State, North-East Nigeria, the ministry plans to spend N70 million on skills training and the provision of trade equipment for youths and seven retirees in the Inyamaltu/Deba area.

The budget also allocates N70 million for the supply of mini pick-up vans, mini shuttle buses, and motorcycles to beneficiaries in Abakaliki Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the South-East.

Additionally, the document includes a proposal for training, sensitisation, advocacy, and empowerment programmes aimed at addressing drug abuse among North-Central youths, to be implemented in Zamfara State, which is geographically located in the North-West.

The ministry listed several similar projects across the country as part of its non-infrastructure spending plans for 2026.