The Federal Government has dismissed claims that over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the 2025 budget, insisting that all public expenditures were made within Nigeria’s constitutional and legal framework.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance, the government said reports alleging that about two percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, estimated at over ₦8 trillion, was spent outside the approved budget were based on a misrepresentation of the International Monetary Fund’s, IMF, 2026 Article IV Consultation Report.
The ministry maintained that the Federal Government does not operate a “shadow budget” or spend public funds without legislative approval.
It explained that under Sections 80 to 83 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution, all public funds can only be withdrawn and spent in accordance with the Constitution and laws passed by the National Assembly. According to the ministry, government expenditure is undertaken through duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts and other statutory authorisations.
The ministry added that multi-year capital projects are implemented under existing laws and approved capital rollovers where applicable, stressing that such projects should not be interpreted as spending outside the budget.
It further argued that allegations of secret spending lacked evidence, saying anyone making such claims should identify specific projects allegedly executed without appropriation or legal authority.
“It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support
