BudgIT, a prominent civic-tech organisation advocating for open governance in Nigeria, has called out the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation for failing to publish mandatory Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports (BIRs), accusing both bodies of violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. In a strongly worded statement issued by the organisation’s Group Senior Communications Associate, Nancy Odimegwu, BudgIT described the failure as a breach of legal duty, a reversal of established transparency practices, and a setback to public finance reform.
According to BudgIT, Section 30 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act clearly mandates the Minister of Finance to release BIRs within 30 days after each quarter, disseminating them through mass and electronic media, including the ministry’s official website. These reports provide critical insight into budget execution, government spending, and the delivery of public services. However, BudgIT revealed that not a single BIR has been released since the second quarter of 2024, leaving at least four quarterly reports outstanding as of Q2 2025. This marks a significant deviation from the precedent set by previous administrations, which consistently released at least three BIRs annually.
The organisation stressed that such reports are more than mere legal obligations — they are a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. BudgIT emphasized that the refusal to publish them undermines democratic principles and deprives citizens, researchers, and the private sector of essential data required for planning, analysis, and oversight. It further expressed disappointment that the current administration has not only defaulted on BIR publications but has also failed to update other transparency tools such as the OpenTreasury.gov platform, which has seen no new data since January 2025.
BudgIT also raised concern over the government’s failure to release the Federal Cash Plan Disbursement Schedule, another requirement under Section 26 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The group argued that the administration’s disregard for these statutory obligations signals a worrying regression in Nigeria’s commitment to fiscal openness and could negatively affect the country’s credibility with international partners. It warned that transparency should not be optional, especially in a democracy where public trust and financial accountability are vital.
In its concluding remarks, BudgIT urged President Bola Tinubu and relevant government agencies to urgently comply with the law by releasing the overdue reports and restoring transparency platforms. “Citizens have a right to know how public funds are spent,” the group asserted, calling on the administration to build on the transparency foundation laid by its predecessors rather than dismantle it.
