Nigeria Federal Government urges states to align budgets with development plans

The Nigerian Federal Government has called on state governments to align their annual budgets with established development plans and sector priorities. This directive aims to improve the delivery of essential services, specifically in basic education and primary healthcare.

Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasized that credible budgeting must serve as a financial expression of government priorities. The call follows reports from the Universal Basic Education Commission indicating that approximately 70 per cent of Nigerian children of primary school age struggle with basic literacy due to weaknesses in resource management and education delivery.

Speaking at a technical workshop for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Governance Programme (HOPE-GOV), Odoh noted that the 2027 budget process offers a critical opportunity for states to bridge the gap between policy and expenditure. The initiative seeks to strengthen state capacity to cost priorities accurately and reconcile planned activities with available budget ceilings.