The Budget Office of the Federation has refuted claims that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is operating a budget of ₦246 billion exclusively for salaries, labeling the assertion as false, misleading, and stemming from a misunderstanding of Nigeria’s federal budgeting process.
In a statement issued in Abuja on January 15, 2026, the Office clarified that the ₦246.77 billion allocated to the NEDC in the federal budget represents a statutory lump-sum allocation, prepared in accordance with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), rather than a budget strictly dedicated to personnel costs.
The Office contested reports suggesting that approximately ₦244 billion of this allocation is earmarked for salaries, calling such claims factually incorrect. It explained that during budget preparation, allocations may temporarily be classified under personnel costs as a technical placeholder, pending the submission of comprehensive internal economic breakdowns from various agencies.
This practice is in line with recognized budgeting conventions, allowing for adjustments pending detailed submissions, legislative review, and approved reallocations throughout the budget execution process. The Budget Office emphasized that these technical presentations should not be misconstrued as indicative of actual spending plans.
Addressing concerns regarding capital expenditure, the Budget Office noted that the cited ₦2.70 billion figure reflects an adjustment approved by the National Assembly in the 2025 budget, with approximately 70 percent of capital allocations rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year. This legislative decision concerns the timing and sequencing of appropriations and does not imply a deficit of development projects in the North East.
The Office highlighted that the budget includes schedules detailing ongoing and planned projects, such as agricultural support, food security initiatives, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, construction of orphanages, borehole projects, and security logistics support, alongside constituency-level programs.
It warned that focusing solely on a single budget line while neglecting comprehensive project schedules is a distortion of the actual fiscal situation rather than a proper analysis.
In defending the necessity of including personnel costs, the Budget Office pointed out that development commissions require skilled professionals such as engineers, project managers, procurement officers, and monitoring teams to ensure the effective delivery of projects.
Regarding accountability, the Office reiterated that the NEDC operates under multiple oversight mechanisms, including the MTEF, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly scrutiny, quarterly budget performance reports, and statutory audits.
The statement, signed by Tanimu Yakubu, Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, urged the public to engage with fiscal information responsibly, warning that misinformation undermines accountability rather than fortifying it.
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