By Abubakar Yunusa
BudgIT Nigeria on Tuesday disclosed that a total of ₦68.32tn has been approved as Nigeria’s 2026 budget, outlining how the funds are to be distributed across key sectors of the economy.
The civic technology organisation made this known via its X handle, providing a detailed breakdown of allocations and spending priorities.
According to the group, ₦32.2tn has been earmarked for capital expenditure, covering critical infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals and other public projects.
It added that ₦15.8tn is allocated to debt servicing, while ₦15.4tn is set aside for recurrent non-debt expenditure, which includes the cost of running government operations.
A further ₦4.79tn has been designated for statutory transfers.
Sectoral allocations show that security tops the list with ₦5.41tn, followed by infrastructure with ₦3.56tn, education with ₦3.52tn, and health with ₦2.48tn.
BudgIT noted that the figures reflect how national resources are distributed across sectors that directly impact citizens’ daily lives, stressing that effective implementation remains key to achieving meaningful results.
However, the breakdown has triggered reactions from Nigerians, many of whom expressed concerns over the growing debt burden and fiscal structure.
One respondent, David Chijoke Eze, lamented that debt servicing constitutes the second-largest allocation, describing the situation as alarming.
“I’m very sorry for Nigerians. We’re being scammed by our leaders in broad daylight,” he said.
Another user, Kayode Teslim, criticised the centralised fiscal system, warning that continued dependence on the Federal Government could hinder development.
“Nigeria will continue to be a poor country if we allow states and local governments to rely solely on Abuja,” he stated.
Similarly, Khalilu Tumur called for the adoption of fiscal federalism, arguing that states should be empowered to independently grow their economies.
Victor Oliseh questioned the planning framework behind the budget, citing the absence of a reliable database to guide project selection.
“I can imagine planning a budget without an appropriate database that reflects citizens’ needs. How will people cope in hard times?” he asked.
On his part, Nse Samson expressed doubts about revenue projections, warning that the budget may rely heavily on borrowing.
“We never learn. Revenue targets may not be met, and the budget could be financed largely through borrowing. About 27 per cent may go to debt servicing,” he said.
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