By Olusegun Adeniyi
For over 14 years, I’ve been advocating for reforms in Nigeria’s budgeting process, highlighting its flawed nature. My recent deep dive into the ‘2024 Appropriation Act FGN Budget Details Volume One’ left me dismayed, shedding light on the murky depths of our budgetary system.
Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi’s allegations of an underground N28.7 trillion 2024 budget, with an additional N3 trillion, sparked controversy. Although swiftly debunked by the presidency, Ningi’s claims shed light on the political intricacies of budget allocation.
Perusing through the budget revealed alarming irregularities. ‘Capital Supplementation’ allocations raised eyebrows with rounded figure sums, raising questions about transparency and due process. Moreover, the breakdown of budgets for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) exposed skewed allocations and suspicious project costs.
The Ministry of Works’ budget exemplifies this, with questionable allocations for road projects. Shockingly, numerous projects were allocated minimal funds, casting doubt on their feasibility. Furthermore, the prevalence of ‘ONGOING’ projects circumventing procurement processes is troubling.
The budget’s distortion extends beyond roads, permeating various sectors. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s allocation for unrelated projects highlights the systemic issue of misallocation and lack of accountability.
President Tinubu’s acceptance and defense of the budget raise concerns, echoing past criticisms of National Assembly alterations. Despite President Buhari’s previous reservations, the budget remains riddled with opaque insertions and questionable allocations.
The ongoing budget saga underscores the urgent need for budgetary reforms. Nigeria’s budgeting process must prioritize transparency, accountability, and national development. It’s time for lawmakers to fulfill their oversight duties and end the cycle of budgetary abuse.
Ningi’s suspension may silence dissent temporarily, but the underlying issues persist. True progress requires a comprehensive national dialogue on institutional reforms to ensure government accountability and transparency.
As Ramadan begins, I extend my warm wishes to all Muslim readers. Ramadan Kareem!
