Seun Onigbinde, the co-founder and CEO of BudgIT, a Nigerian civic startup, has lent his support to the claims made by Abdul Ningi regarding the allocation of over ₦3 trillion in the 2024 budget without specified details for the allocation.
Onigbinde shared his insights during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program on Tuesday. He mentioned that BudgIT had fact-checked Ningi’s claims amidst a tumultuous session in the Senate, finding a basis for Ningi’s concerns.
Ningi, who recently stepped down as Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum and faced suspension over his budget allegations, highlighted in a BBC interview that over N3 trillion in the budget was not assigned to any specific project.
Onigbinde, while discussing the matter on Channels TV, acknowledged the necessity for a detailed breakdown of the budget but disputed the notion of two parallel budgets being operated.
Onigbinde pointed out that it is not unusual for statutory transfers amounting to approximately N3.7 trillion to lack a detailed breakdown. He argued that while there is a broad summary of allocations to various governmental and educational institutions, there is a lack of granular detail on how these funds are to be spent.
He specifically questioned the allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture, which saw a dramatic increase from the proposed N363 billion to N993 billion, laden with questionable projects.
Citing examples of misplaced allocations and projects assigned to agencies lacking the capacity for implementation, Onigbinde called for accountability and questioned the feasibility of such projects.
He emphasized the urgent need for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address these budgetary concerns. Onigbinde suggested that the President should establish a cap on what can be inserted into the budget as a political solution to ensure development and proper utilization of funds.
