FG Fails to Publish Budget Implementation Reports for Nearly a Year, Raising Transparency Concerns
The Nigerian government has not released any quarterly Budget Implementation Reports (BIRs) in nearly a year, sparking concerns over fiscal transparency, accountability, and public trust. Civic-tech organization BudgIT highlighted this lapse on Thursday, emphasizing that timely BIR publication is crucial for citizens and investors to monitor government spending and evaluate public service delivery.
BudgIT explained that BIRs are not only legally mandated but also a standard practice in democratic governance. Nancy Odimegwu, BudgIT’s Senior Communication Associate, noted that these reports serve as evidence of government expenditure and help assess the quality of budget implementation and public service delivery. The absence of such reports, she said, undermines both accountability and public confidence.
Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, the Minister of Finance is required to release BIRs within 30 days after the end of each quarter. While the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari consistently published at least three BIRs annually, the current government led by President Bola Tinubu has failed to publish any, leaving nearly four reports pending from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025.
BudgIT further urged the government to go beyond routine reporting and release the Federal Cash Plan Disbursement Schedule, as stipulated under Section 26 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The organization warned that withholding such critical information could deter investors, hinder private-sector planning, and limit civil society and academic institutions from conducting meaningful advocacy and research.
Vahyala Kwaga, BudgIT’s Group Head of Research and Policy Advisory, criticized the administration’s inaction, describing it as “discouraging” for a democratic government. Kwaga stressed that accountability requires publishing financial information in accordance with the law rather than relying on media statements, underscoring citizens’ right to know how public funds are spent.
Source: Business day