FG Urges States to Align Budgets with Development Plans

The Federal Government has called on state governments to align their budgets with development plans and sector priorities to enhance the delivery of basic education and primary healthcare services. Deborah Odoh, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, made this statement on Monday in Abuja.

She highlighted that about 70 percent of Nigerian children of primary school age cannot read and understand a simple text, attributing this issue to weaknesses in education delivery and public resource management. Odoh spoke at a technical capacity-building workshop on Disbursement-Linked Indicator 2 of the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Governance Programme, known as HOPE-GOV.

She stated that the 2027 budget process is an opportunity for states to strengthen the connection between their development plans and budgets. The workshop aims to help states review their plans and budgets, identify gaps, and improve implementation, with a focus on costing government priorities and reconciling planned activities with available resources.