Weak Laws, Poor Implementation Undermine Nigeria’s Budgeting Says VP, Akabueze

Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Budget Office Director-General Ben Akabueze have called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s budgeting system, warning that weak legal structures and poor implementation are undermining national development.

They made the call at a two-day National Policy Dialogue organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on National Planning and Economic Development in Abuja, theme

Senator Shettima, represented by presidential adviser Tope Fasua, called for a more realistic and sustainable budgeting framework aligned with long-term national development plans.

He also defended the expansion of the 2026 budget, noting that bigger budgets are necessary to drive growth and improve living standards.

On his part, the Former Director General, Budget office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze said Nigeria’s budget process lacks a clear legal framework, noting that vague constitutional provisions have contributed to inefficiencies and recurring disputes between the executive and legislature.

He cited more than 56,000 abandoned projects nationwide as evidence of a disconnect between planning and execution, adding that budgets should serve as a guide for directing resources toward development priorities.

Akabueze also urged a shift from spending-focused budgeting to a system driven by measurable outcomes.

Participants at the dialogue also stressed the need for stronger legal backing, better alignment between development plans and budgets, and improved implementation to ensure public spending delivers tangible results

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji