CSJ charges FG to release 2026 capital budget funds

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…accuses NASS of oversight failure

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By Emma Ujah

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The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has urged the Federal Government (FG) to immediately commence the implementation of the 2026 Capital Budget, warning that continued delays violate the provisions of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Appropriation Act.

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The demand was contained in an open letter by the Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.

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The letter was also sent to the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

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In the letter CSJ called on the Minister of Finance to publicly explain the persistent delays in releasing funds for capital projects, citing Section 48(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which requires transparency and timely disclosure in the management of public finances.

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It demanded the immediate release of all outstanding funds required for the full implementation of both the 2025 and fast-track 2026 capital budget implementation.

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The letter stated in part: “A conspicuous part of the yearly Appropriation Acts, reproduced in the 2026 Appropriation Act in line with the Financial Year Act and the interpretation of Section 318 of the Constitution, provides that appropriated sums are available for expenditure between January 1 and December 31 of every year, and no part of the amount appropriated shall be released from the Consolidated Revenue Fund after the end of the financial year.

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“The continuous extension of the fiscal calendar for the implementation of capital votes is an aberration that introduces uncertainty and tardiness into public finance management.”

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According to the organisation, available information indicates that the carried-over 2025 Capital Budget has yet to be fully released and cash-backed, with most Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) receiving less than 50 per cent of the funds required to execute outstanding capital projects.

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It further alleged that no funds have been released for the implementation of the 2026 Federal Capital Budget, despite the year being well advanced.

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“Not a single kobo has been released for the implementation of the 2026 Federal Capital Budget. September, being the ninth month of the year, should ordinarily mark the final phase of implementing the budget,” it said.

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CSJ faulted the National Assembly, accusing it of failing to exercise its constitutional oversight responsibility by compelling the Executive to implement duly approved Appropriation Acts.

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“The National Assembly has failed, refused and neglected to exercise its oversight powers to compel the Executive to fully implement the capital components of the 2025 Appropriation Act and commence implementation of the 2026 Appropriation Act.“

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“This has been the pattern since 2023, with no budget effectively implemented within the fiscal year.”

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The organisation argued that there was no justification for the delay, noting that government revenues had risen significantly since 2023.

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