(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 a comprehensive analysis of the 2022 Federal Government budget.
The report highlights critical inefficiencies, misplaced priorities, and gaps in intergovernmental coordination.
The report, coordinated by Project Manager Folasayo Onigbinde and led by Research and Policy Advisory Head Abel Akeni, underscores the urgent need for budgetary reforms to enhance fiscal responsibility and economic development.
One of the key concerns raised in the memo is the allocation of funds to 87 federal agencies for road construction, despite many lacking the expertise or mandate to execute such projects.
Additionally, the memo reveals that several allocations were made for projects that are under the jurisdiction of state and local governments, leaving federally controlled infrastructure in poor condition.
A major issue highlighted in the report is weak intergovernmental coordination, which threatens the success of Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2021-2025.
The memo points out that over 1,200 streetlight projects worth N140 billion were allocated across various communities, despite street lighting being the constitutional responsibility of local governments.
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Furthermore, many states had already submitted their 2022 budgets before the MTNDP was finalized, resulting in a missed opportunity to align national and subnational development priorities.
The report calls for an urgent framework to improve budget planning and coordination between federal, state, and local governments.
The analysis also raises concerns about budget transparency, particularly in the allocation and execution of capital projects.
It reveals that 6,576 capital projects were inserted into the budget by legislators without clear project design documents or feasibility studies, violating the 2022 Budget Public Investment Guidelines.
These insertions contributed to a budget deficit of N6.39 trillion—exceeding the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s 3% GDP threshold.
The memo also highlights opaque budgeting practices in government-owned enterprises such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigeria Ports Authority, with cases of fraudulent contract awards and funds being allocated to already completed projects.
In response to these findings, BudgIT is calling for immediate reforms, including stricter enforcement of budgetary guidelines, increased transparency in government expenditures, and a more collaborative approach to budget planning.
The organization urges the National Assembly and the Executive to ensure that budget allocations align with national priorities and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The report serves as a critical reference for policymakers, civil society organizations, and stakeholders advocating for improved fiscal governance in Nigeria.
