By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has denied the allegation that it spent more than ₦8 trillion outside the 2026 budget, asking those who believe this to show evidence.

This follows comments by IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, who said about two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside the budget in 2025, making the country’s fiscal deficit appear smaller than its actual borrowing requirements.

The IMF official said the discrepancy suggested that the government’s financing needs were higher than reflected in official budget figures.

The comment had stirred reactions from opposition leaders, civil society groups and critics of the Tinubu administration.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the off-budget spending allegation.

Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), demanded the resignation of the President.

But in a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Finance said reports suggesting that about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product was spent through a “shadow budget” lacked evidence.

The statement personally signed by Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance, said the comments of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) official was misrepresented.

Oyedele emphasised that the Federal Government does not operate any unofficial budget, arguing that all withdrawals and spending of public funds were authorised through Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts and other laws passed by the National Assembly.

He clarified some capital projects extend across multiple budget cycles and are implemented through approved rollover provisions, adding that such expenditures should not be interpreted as spending outside the budget.

“The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two percent of GDP amounting to over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government’s financial management.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government does not operate a “shadow budget” or expend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework established for public finance.

“Under Sections 80 – 83 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), public funds may only be withdrawn and expended in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly. Accordingly, Federal Government expenditure is incurred pursuant to duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other statutory authorities enacted by the National Assembly. In addition, multi-year capital projects which necessarily span multiple budgets are implemented in accordance with extant laws and approved provisions for capital rollovers where applicable. These are recognised features of public financial management and should not be misconstrued as expenditures outside the budget.

“It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support of the claim. To be meaningful, assertions of this magnitude must be supported by verifiable facts rather than conjecture.

“For the purpose of public education, it is important to distinguish between appropriation, expenditure authorisation, financing, and fiscal reporting. Nigeria’s public finance framework contains several statutory transfers, first-line charges and intervention mechanisms established by Acts of the National Assembly.”

Oyedele said the Federal Government remained firmly committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability.

He added that recent reforms have significantly strengthened public financial management with ongoing improvements in budget assumptions and credibility, transparent revenue administration, digitalisation of government financial processes, and stronger treasury management.

The Kano State Government has executed more than 1,508 developmental projects across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas with an estimated cumulative value exceeding ₦828 billion, as part of its commitment to infrastructure renewal, improved public service delivery and balanced development, the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Comrade Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, has said.

Speaking while addressing journalists in his office, Sumaila said the projects were undertaken during the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and reflect the government’s determination to deliver sustainable development to both urban and rural communities across the state.

According to the commissioner, out of the 1,508 projects executed so far, 799 have been completed, while 709 are at various stages of completion. He added that the figure is separate from 619 constituency projects currently being implemented across the 44 local government areas through members of the Kano State House of Assembly.

Sumaila explained that the administration’s projects cover several strategic sectors aimed at improving the living conditions of residents. He said the interventions align with the government’s development priorities in infrastructure, transportation, security, education, healthcare, utilities and other essential social services.

The commissioner disclosed that urban renewal projects, valued at about ₦169 billion, include road rehabilitation, drainage construction and other metropolitan infrastructure designed to improve the city’s landscape and address long-standing urban challenges.

He further revealed that the state government awarded contracts worth more than ₦118 billion for the construction of 5-kilometre roads in 38 local government areas, describing the initiative as a major component of the administration’s strategy to improve connectivity, ease transportation and stimulate economic activities across the state.

On security, Sumaila said the government approved projects worth over ₦6.863 billion for the construction of Kano State Neighbourhood Watch divisions in 36 local government areas. According to him, the investment demonstrates the administration’s commitment to strengthening community-based security architecture and enhancing public safety.

The commissioner also stated that the government is implementing extensive rural infrastructure projects across all 44 local government areas, covering education, healthcare and other social interventions with a contract value of over ₦397 billion. He said the projects are intended to promote equitable development, improve access to essential services and reduce the gap between urban and rural communities.

In addition, Sumaila disclosed that the administration is executing other strategic development projects with a cumulative contract value of about ₦255 billion, noting that the investments are aimed at supporting long-term socio-economic growth and improving public infrastructure across the state.

The commissioner commended the administration’s resolve to ensure the equitable distribution of projects between urban and rural communities, stressing that the ministry places priority on value for money, quality delivery and measurable impact on the lives of citizens through effective procurement and project monitoring mechanisms.

According to Sumaila, the Ministry of Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation remains committed to ensuring that all government projects comply with due process, technical standards and approved specifications. He said the ministry will continue to monitor project implementation to safeguard public resources and guarantee quality infrastructure for the people of Kano State.

He added that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s development agenda continues to focus on urban infrastructure, educational facilities, water supply, rural access roads, security enhancement and improved social services. According to the commissioner, these investments are expected to strengthen the state’s economy, improve mobility, enhance community safety and expand access to essential public services.

Sumaila expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their continued support of the government’s development initiatives, reiterating the ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability and effective monitoring of projects. He assured residents that the administration would continue to implement projects that address the needs and aspirations of the people of Kano State.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has renewed his demand for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign.

This time around, he argued that the latest disclosure by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Nigeria’s off-budget expenditure has reinforced concerns over accountability, corruption and fiscal management under the current administration.

Obi, in a statement issued on Sunday, hinged his renewed call on the IMF’s recent disclosure that public expenditure equivalent to about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025 was not captured in the country’s budget.

According to him, the reported expenditure, which he put at about N8.83 trillion, was undertaken outside the approved budgetary framework and therefore escaped legislative oversight and administrative scrutiny.

Describing the development as “horrible,” Obi argued that the amount represented more than one-third of the country’s 2025 capital expenditure budget of N23.96 trillion.

He further said the figure also exceeded the combined allocations to the education and health sectors in the current fiscal year.

“The IMF now reveals that about N8.83 trillion in expenditure undertaken in 2025 is not reflected in the budget. This expenditure is not budgeted and is therefore not under legislative oversight or administrative scrutiny. This is horrible,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor maintained that prudent deployment of such resources could have significantly improved healthcare, education, job creation and industrial development across the country.

Instead, he alleged that the revelation reflected a recurring pattern of financial mismanagement.

“This is not an isolated incident. This is a pattern of grand corruption that has become part of this administration,” he stated.

Obi also argued that persistent disregard for established public finance procedures poses serious risks to national security, institutional stability and economic development.

He accused the administration of failing to prioritise the welfare of citizens despite worsening poverty and infrastructure deficits.

According to him, a government committed to improving living conditions would ensure that resources of such magnitude were transparently managed and channelled towards critical sectors.

The opposition figure said the latest disclosure further justified his earlier demand that Tinubu should vacate office.

He recalled that his previous call for the President’s resignation was based on “incompetence, failure to fulfil campaign promises and inability to address insecurity and economic hardship”.

Obi said subsequent developments, particularly the IMF’s disclosure, had strengthened his conviction that the administration had failed in its responsibilities.

“With the daily revelations of pervasive corruption in this administration and its total lack of commitment to the welfare and security of Nigerian citizens, the only reasonable action is for President Tinubu to resign from office,” he said.

He further urged Nigerians to lawfully demand greater accountability from those in government, insisting that public institutions must not allow due process in fiscal management to collapse.

The renewed criticism follows comments by IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, who said last Wednesday that about two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside the budget in 2025, making the country’s fiscal deficit appear smaller than its actual borrowing requirements.

The IMF official said the discrepancy suggested that the government’s financing needs were higher than reflected in official budget figures.

Obi’s latest intervention also comes a day after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the off-budget spending allegation.