Experts Call for Accountability Before 2027 Budget Prep

Experts have warned the Nigerian government against initiating new appropriations for the 2027 budget without first accounting for the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 budgets. They stress the importance of detailing how much of these budgets has been executed, released, spent, and what remains outstanding.

The Budget Office of the Federation is currently preparing the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), with a circular issued on September 4 setting a deadline for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit their 2027 personnel-cost proposals by September 18. Concerns have been raised regarding overlapping budget implementation periods, which have been highlighted by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank as weaknesses in Nigeria's fiscal management.

Economist Adegboyega Adebajo stated that while the preparation of the 2027 budget is necessary, it should be accompanied by a clear framework for managing transitions between budget cycles and clearing outstanding obligations.