Nigerian Govt Not Operating 'Shadow Budget,' Finance Minister Asserts

Nigeria's Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele has firmly rejected allegations that the federal government operates a "shadow budget." He asserted that all public expenditures strictly follow the nation's Constitution and relevant laws, dismissing claims of spending outside legislative approval as inaccurate.

Oyedele explained that public funds can only be withdrawn and spent according to constitutional provisions and laws passed by the National Assembly. He stressed that federal expenditures are channeled through duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other statutory authorizations approved by lawmakers. Standard practices like multi-year capital projects and approved rollovers are lawful and should not be misconstrued as extra-budgetary spending, he argued.

“

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.

The minister challenged those making accusations to present concrete evidence, including specific projects allegedly executed without proper authorization. He further clarified that Nigeria's fiscal framework includes various statutory transfers and intervention mechanisms established by law, such as allocations to development commissions and agencies, cost-of-collection provisions, and debt service obligations. These lawful expenditures are publicly disclosed and subject to oversight and audit, Oyedele stated.

“

Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support of the claim.