The Federal Government has denied allegations that it spent more than ₦8 trillion outside the 2026 budget, challenging those making the claim to provide evidence.
The rebuttal followed comments by the IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, who stated that about two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside the budget in 2025. Ebeke said the discrepancy made the country’s fiscal deficit appear smaller than its actual borrowing requirements.
His remarks sparked reactions from opposition leaders, civil society groups and critics of the Tinubu administration.
But in a statement issued on Sunday and personally signed by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Federal Ministry of Finance described reports of a “shadow budget” as baseless and misleading.
Oyedele said the IMF official’s comments were misrepresented, stressing that the Federal Government does not operate any unofficial budget.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government does not operate a ‘shadow budget’ or expend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework established for public finance,” he stated.
Citing Sections 80 – 83 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution, Oyedele explained that all withdrawals and spending of public funds are authorised through Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other laws passed by the National Assembly.
He added that some capital projects cut across multiple budget cycles and are implemented through approved rollover provisions, noting that such expenditures should not be misconstrued as spending outside the budget.
“The claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government’s financial management,” Oyedele said.
“It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should identify the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation and present credible evidence.”
The minister further explained that Nigeria’s public finance framework includes statutory transfers, first-line charges, and intervention mechanisms established by Acts of the National Assembly.
Oyedele said the Tinubu administration remained committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability, adding that recent reforms in budget credibility, revenue administration, digitalisation of financial processes, and treasury management have been acknowledged by the IMF and other multilateral institutions.
“Public debate is welcome and essential in a democratic society. However, it should be based on facts and an accurate understanding of Nigeria’s constitutional and fiscal framework,” he concluded.
