By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The federal government has dismissed claims that more than ₦8 trillion, representing about two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, was spent outside the approved budget, describing the allegations as inaccurate and misleading.
A statement from the Federal Ministry of Finance says the federal government does not operate a shadow budget or spend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework governing public finance.
The ministry explains that under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, all public funds can only be withdrawn and spent through duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other laws approved by the National Assembly.
It adds that multi-year capital projects, statutory transfers, debt service obligations, and other legally approved interventions are recognised components of Nigeria’s public financial management system and should not be misconstrued as expenditures outside the budget.
The ministry further states that allegations of secret spending running into trillions of naira must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence, stressing that no expenditure is made without legislative approval or legal authority.
According to the statement, the government’s financial management framework remains transparent and fully compliant with constitutional provisions and existing laws.
The statement further explains that Nigeria’s public finance framework provides for several statutory transfers, first-line charges, and intervention mechanisms established through Acts of the National Assembly.
These include statutory allocations to development commissions and other government agencies, cost of collection and administration retained by designated revenue-generating agencies as provided by law, as well as capital expenditure approved under separate budgets for certain agencies and the Federal Capital Territory.
The ministry also notes that special interventions to address national priorities such as security, infrastructure development, disaster response, and other strategic programmes are undertaken strictly within the legal framework established by the National Assembly.
It adds that debt service obligations and other statutory transfers are similarly authorised by existing legislation and are fully reflected within the government’s fiscal management system.
The Federal Government therefore urged the public to rely on verified information when discussing public finances, reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources in line with the Constitution and other extant laws.
