Persistent Budget Failures: CHRICED Demands Transparency, Accountability in Capital Expenditure Implementation

Alex Enumah in Abuja 

A civil rights group has expressed profound concern over the alleged failure of the federal government to continue implementation of the capital components of the national budget, despite repeated assurances of reform and improved fiscal performance.

The group, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), in a statement issued on Thursday lamented that a review of official budget implementation reports published by the Budget Office of the Federation shows a troubling pattern of chronic underperformance. 

Referencing the 2024 fiscal year, the group stated that out of a capital budget of ₦9.9 trillion, only ₦5.81 trillion was released, with ₦3.27 trillion utilized.

According to CHRICED, Program Manager, Victor Emejuiwe, while this represents 81.91% utilization of released funds, it reflects a far lower performance when measured against the total capital allocation—leaving critical development commitments unmet.

“The situation worsened in 2025. As of today, the Budget Office has failed to publish the third and fourth quarter implementation reports, in violation of statutory timelines.

“Available data indicates that out of a projected ₦23.44 trillion in capital expenditure, only ₦34.32 billion was released in the first quarter and ₦393.86 billion in the second quarter—less than one percent of the total capital budget. This confirms that both the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets remain largely unimplemented”, Emejuiwe stated.

CHRICED expressed worry that while citizens are urged to endure economic hardship in anticipation of promised reforms, there is little evidence of corresponding government action in the execution of capital projects.

It added that instead, budget obligations appear to be routinely rolled over into subsequent fiscal years, even as the 2026 budget remains unsigned at the end of the first quarter.

While stressing that this persistent failure points to serious governance lapses, the group observed that it is particularly paradoxical that an administration claiming to exceed revenue targets consistently fails to release funds for capital development. 

“Meanwhile, recurrent expenditures—primarily sustaining the cost of governance—continue to receive full and timely funding. This imbalance deprives Nigerians of essential infrastructure, undermines economic growth, and erodes public trust.

 “At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with the consequences of fuel subsidy removal, rising petrol prices, and escalating living costs, the neglect of capital investments has deepened poverty and left critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and power generation in a state of near collapse.

“With over 70 percent of Nigerians affected by poverty and unemployment rising, the failure to prioritize capital development is both irresponsible and unacceptable”, the statement added.

CHRICED accordingly called for; A comprehensive audit of all capital allocations and releases from 2023 to 2026; Immediate publication of all outstanding 2025 budget implementation reports (Q3 and Q4) in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act; Full accountability from public officials seeking political office ahead of 2027, including compliance with the President’s directive requiring them to resign to ensure governance is not compromised; and Active citizen engagement to demand transparency, responsible governance, and proper utilization of public resources.

They maintained that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development without disciplined, transparent, and accountable budget implementation.

CHRICED however reassured of its commitment in advocating for fiscal responsibility and the protection of citizens’ rights.