BOF clarifies NEDC allocation covers statutory functions, not just personnel costs
The Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) has dismissed claims that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) operates a N246.77 billion salaries budget, calling the narrative “false and misleading.”
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja and signed by BOF Director-General Tanimu Yakubu, the office clarified that the N246.77 billion allocation is a consolidated statutory provision presented at an overall level under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and is not solely for staff salaries.
“The assertion that the NEDC budget is purely for personnel is inaccurate and reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the Federal Government’s budgeting process,” the BOF said. It urged commentators to engage with fiscal information responsibly, warning that misinformation undermines transparency and accountability.
The statement explained that apparent personnel cost figures sometimes appear inflated during budget preparation because incomplete breakdowns serve as technical placeholders, not final allocations.
The BOF also addressed concerns about capital spending, noting that the N2.70 billion capital expenditure cited in some reports was delayed to 2026 by a National Assembly decision on appropriation timing, and does not indicate a lack of projects. According to the office, budget documents show ongoing interventions across the North East, emphasizing that focusing on a single line item without context is misleading.
“Personnel costs in a development commission are essential and proper,” the BOF added. “They fund engineers, project managers, procurement officers, and oversight teams needed to design, supervise, and deliver projects effectively. No development institution can execute its mandate without institutional capacity.”
The BOF highlighted that the NEDC operates under multiple accountability mechanisms, including the MTEF, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly oversight, quarterly performance reports, and statutory audits. It welcomed public scrutiny but stressed it must be grounded in a proper understanding of the budgeting process.
“The claim that the NEDC exists solely to pay salaries is completely unfounded,” the office concluded.
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