Atiku Urges Probe into N8.8tn Off-Budget Spending

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria and a candidate from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate claims made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding Nigeria's off-budget expenditures. According to a report published on July 1, 2026, the IMF indicated that the Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, failed to record public expenditures amounting to approximately N8.8 trillion, which is about two percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Atiku expressed alarm over this revelation, stating that such unrecorded spending undermines fiscal accountability and transparency. He emphasized the need for all relevant anti-corruption agencies to conduct formal investigations into these expenditures, which he claims are unlawfully deducted from state allocations.

Atiku also highlighted the broader implications for Nigeria's economy, which is currently valued at approximately N441.5 trillion.