Budget in breach again

The pattern has been the same over the years, but the 2025 budget is worse. The complaints cut across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), which capital allocation under the 2025 budget was grossly inadequate. In some cases, it was zero. It began with the Ministry of Health and Social Development, where the coordinating minister, […]

The pattern has been the same over the years, but the 2025 budget is worse. The complaints cut across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), which capital allocation under the 2025 budget was grossly inadequate. In some cases, it was zero.

It began with the Ministry of Health and Social Development, where the coordinating minister, while appearing before members of the National Assembly to defend his ministry’s 2026 budget, said his ministry received only N36 million out of the N218 billion approved for it under the 2025 budget.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has a worse case, with zero release. The Ministry of Transport was lucky to have received N2.57 billion of its N256.73 billion capital allocation, representing just one per cent of the allocation. The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, mandated to harness opportunities in shipping, fisheries, coastal tourism and port infrastructure, received N202 million out of its N3.53 billion capital allocation. The Ministry of Housing, tasked with constructing 20,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, got zero release.

In addition, there are 3,573 projects worth N653.19 billion to be delivered in federal constituencies, while 1,972 projects valued at N444.04 billion are to be delivered directly in senatorial districts. All these have so far not received any funding.

It is a similar story across the MDAs, which implies that they have to roll over the projects to the next budget cycle with little hope that the projects will be realised.

So far, the only official response came from the Accountant-General of the Federation, who told lawmakers at the National Assembly that the crisis was due to “indiscriminate” contract awards by the MDAs without confirmed funding. He also said that the problem arose due to a lack of funds in the government’s coffers.

Since the advent of this administration, there has been an inconsistency in budget implementation. At a point, the country was operating three budgets at the same time. Only late in 2025 did President Bola Tinubu ask the National Assembly to consider and pass a new N43.56 trillionappropriation (repeal and re-enactment) bill for the 2024–2025 fiscal years in a move to end multiple budgets, while critical projects in the harmonised budgets would be implemented until March 2026.

As at today, the National Assembly is still considering the 2026 budget, which means the abandonment of the agreed annual budget cycle of January to December that was restored just a few years ago.

The implications of all this are numerous. It means Nigerians have to wait much longer for better health, roads, railways and education infrastructure. In short, the road to the Promised Land is still far away.

It distorts planning, which is essential for the economy. When investors, both domestic and external, are confused about the implementation of our budget, it gives them little confidence to invest, especially where such investment is tied to the completion of projects that are key to the success of their ventures. Such projects include roads, rail lines, power projects and ports.

A budget is key to the development of any country. It represents an investment towards national development. There is no way any country can develop without good roads, rail and electricity. These are infrastructure facilities often provided by the government to attract investors and ease business within the country. Where such investment is lacking or taking too long, it means the economy will follow the same pattern.

Again, a budget is an act of parliament, which means that its implementation by the executive is obligatory. Where such is not possible, it is incumbent on the executive to seek parliament’s approval for its alteration. It is sad that since the start of the Fourth Republic, successive administrations have always implemented budgets in breach. This does not augur well for constitutionalism and the rule of law.

A budget is also used to stimulate the economy in many nations. Where government implements capital projects, it opens the door for more employment, boosting the purchasing power of citizens and revenue for the government in the form of taxes and levies. It is common in many countries to initiate capital projects as a way of boosting the economy.

But the most intriguing aspect of our current situation is that this is happening in an administration that removed the subsidy on petroleum products and floated the naira. The argument is that the twin measures would boost government’s revenue, which they have. The government has also gone ahead to secure loans from various sources, all with the intention of boosting the economy and making life better for Nigerians. But unfortunately, citizens are yet to see the impact on their lives.

We believe the government has to come out with full explanation on the situation, much more than what is being bandied around now. Nigerians need to be sure that their sacrifices are worth the difficulties they are being subjected to.

This is also a challenge to our lawmakers. It is sad that Nigerians are only getting to know the situation just now, about one year after the budget was passed. This means our lawmakers have abandoned one of their major duties of providing oversight on the executive’s activities.

Nigerians deserve to be informed periodically on how the executive arm is performing its duties. This can only be done by our legislators. It will be better for Nigerians if they rise up to this important assignment. The time to do it is now.