Budget Reports Delayed by Project Checks, Fiscal Transition,.Explains Budget Office

The Budget Office of the Federation has explained why it has not published recent budget implementation reports, attributing the delay to extended project verification exercises and the ongoing transition to a new fiscal framework.

In a statement issued on Friday, the office said the verification of government projects had taken longer than expected, slowing down the collation of data needed for the quarterly reports.

It added that the adoption of a new fiscal framework has also created temporary disruptions in the reporting process.

This clarification comes days after civic-tech organisation BudgIT criticised the Ministry of Finance for failing to ensure the Budget Office released the reports on schedule.

BudgIT noted that Nigerians have been unable to access any budget implementation report since the second quarter of 2024, a gap it warned undermines transparency and accountability in public finance management.

Budget implementation reports provide a breakdown of how government revenues and expenditures compare with approved budgetary allocations, serving as a key tool for citizens, analysts, and oversight institutions to track fiscal performance.

While acknowledging the importance of timely publication, the Budget Office reassured the public that the outstanding reports would be released once the ongoing checks are concluded. It pledged to restore the regular reporting cycle as the fiscal transition stabilises.

“We remain committed to transparency and accountability in public financial management, and are taking necessary steps to align reporting timelines with our verification and fiscal framework processes,” the office stated.

Observers say the delays have heightened concerns about fiscal discipline at a time when Nigeria is grappling with revenue shortfalls, high debt servicing obligations, and mounting demands for improved public services.