Concerns Mount Over Delayed Release of Nigeria’s 2026 Budget Details After Presidential Assent

Concerns are growing over the Federal Government’s delay in publishing the detailed breakdown of Nigeria’s 2026 budget, despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signing the appropriation bill into law on April 17. Nearly three weeks later, the full budget documents are still not publicly available, raising questions about transparency and accountability in public finance management.

Traditionally, once a budget is signed, the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office release detailed revenue and expenditure breakdowns for public scrutiny. However, this year’s process appears different, as Nigerians are yet to see the usual disclosures that allow citizens, analysts, and civil society groups to evaluate government spending plans.

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has strongly criticised the delay, describing it as a setback for open governance. In a statement titled “Where is the 2026 Budget?”, the group expressed frustration that the Budget Office of the Federation has not uploaded the signed document or held a public briefing to explain key fiscal decisions behind the budget.

CSJ also argued that the situation contradicts Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Act, which requires transparent and timely disclosure of public financial information. According to the organisation, withholding such details limits citizens’ ability to participate meaningfully in fiscal governance and weakens trust in public institutions.

Responding to the concerns, a senior Budget Office official said the documents are still undergoing final vetting before publication, stressing that accuracy and proper review are necessary. However, no clear timeline has been provided for when Nigerians will finally gain access to the full 2026 budget breakdown.

source: The guardian