Bagudu says Nigeria’s budget is too small for real development as CISLAC and BudgIT demand stronger checks on budget insertions.
Bagudu: Nigeria needs a bigger budget
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, says Nigeria’s budget remains too small to deliver the level of development Nigerians want.
Speaking at a 2026 Senate Press Corps Workshop in Abuja, Bagudu urged Nigerians to rethink how the country plans and funds development. He said Nigeria has the smallest national budget among the world’s 10 most populous countries.
According to him, Nigeria cannot expect the same development results as countries with much larger fiscal capacity. He also linked the size of the budget to the government’s plan to build a $1 trillion economy.
“The national budget should understandably be a product of that imagination,” Bagudu said.
The minister said Nigeria faces a choice between spending only what it can afford and raising more resources. He added that higher revenue, investment and borrowing would require public understanding and support.
“If people do not support borrowing, the National Assembly will not allow borrowing,” he said.
CISLAC flags questionable projects
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s budget process.
CISLAC cited an ICPC analysis that flagged 4,508 projects worth about N434.5 billion as inserted or padded in the 2022 budget. The analysis also identified 6,690 duplicated projects worth about N6.43 billion across 66 government agencies.
However, CISLAC stressed that the findings do not prove criminal conduct by individuals. Instead, it said they show the need for stronger checks before questionable projects enter the national budget.
The group said lawmakers have the constitutional power to review and amend budget proposals. Its concern, however, is whether major changes remain transparent, justified and traceable from the Executive proposal to the final Appropriation Act.
BudgIT demands evidence before new spending
Similarly, BudgIT urged the National Assembly to focus on evidence when reviewing budget proposals.
Country Director Vahyala Kwaga said lawmakers should examine previous spending before approving new allocations. He said every budget line should connect with national and sector development plans.
These include the National Development Plan, Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. Lawmakers should also ask what was appropriated, released and delivered in previous years.
BudgIT proposed six tests for every budget item. They include alignment with development plans, previous performance, duplication, costing, audit findings and citizens’ needs.
Groups seek stronger budget oversight
BudgIT also called for stronger legislative oversight throughout the year. Committees should track projects, review quarterly reports and use audit findings during future budget cycles.
Technology could also help lawmakers analyse thousands of budget lines and identify vague or duplicated projects.
Meanwhile, CISLAC wants major projects to have clear costs, locations, beneficiaries and expected results. It also wants each project linked to the ministry or agency responsible for delivering it.
The groups ultimately want a budget process that connects public spending with measurable development outcomes.
