(VOICE OF NAIJA)- BudgIT, a leading Nigerian civic-tech organization that uses data, technology, and storytelling to make public finance more transparent and accessible has released an in-depth analysis of Nigeria’s Open Treasury Platform, highlighting significant gaps in government spending transparency and accountability.
The research, coordinated by Project Manager Folasayo Onigbinde alongside other team members, reviewed over 100,000 payment records from federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The report identified issues such as inconsistent budget figures, unexplained multiple payments to the same beneficiaries, and substantial transfers to personal accounts, raising concerns about financial accountability in public spending.
According to the findings, while the platform was designed to enhance transparency by providing daily payment records above ₦10 million for MDAs and ₦5 million for individual agencies, critical discrepancies persist.
One major issue is the difference between figures on the platform and those stated in the 2019 Appropriation Act, with no clear explanation.
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Additionally, large payments some exceeding ₦157 million were made to personal accounts instead of company accounts, with insufficient details on their purpose.
Onigbinde who spoke on the report said “it also flagged payments that appeared duplicated, as well as capital expenditures disbursed at the end of the fiscal year, raising concerns about effective project implementation.
“The report further criticizes the platform’s user experience, noting challenges in accessing and searching financial records.Â
“Currently, users must download multiple spreadsheets to track payments to a specific beneficiary, making the process cumbersome.Â
“The lack of a functional contact system for inquiries further hampers public engagement.Â
“BudgIT recommends transforming the platform into a searchable database, ensuring payment records include comprehensive descriptions, and enforcing stricter compliance from MDAs to improve accountability.”
As part of its recommendations, BudgIT calls for improved public engagement on budget implementation, clear justifications for expenditure prioritization, and better tracking mechanisms for funds, including COVID-19 donations and the $3.4 billion IMF loan.
The report emphasizes the need for government agencies to adhere strictly to transparency mandates to foster greater trust and efficiency in public financial management.