CSO Accuses Finance Ministers of Deliberately Undermining Nigeria's 2025 Budget and Economy
A leading pro-democracy organization in Nigeria has launched a scathing critique against the federal government's Finance Ministry and the Office of the Accountant-General, alleging deliberate obstruction of national development efforts. The National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD) staged a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to voice its concerns.
Key Officials Held Responsible for Economic and Health Sector Collapse
Dr. Harry Linus, Secretary-General of NVATD, specifically pointed fingers at Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite, and Accountant-General of the Federation Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi. He accused them of undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's initiatives to revive the economy and the ailing health sector.
"The two Ministers and the Accountant-General should be held responsible for the total collapse of the economy. It is a total shame that this public lamentation is coming from their own colleague, the Minister of Health," Dr. Linus stated during the protest.
Nonperformance Linked to Unpaid 2024 Contracts Totaling Over ₦4 Trillion
The group traced the poor performance of the 2025 budget to delays in funding capital projects under the 2024 Appropriation Act. Contractors are reportedly owed over ₦4 trillion, which has prevented them from undertaking new projects, leading to widespread stagnation across multiple sectors.
Dr. Linus described this situation as a "disservice" to the nation. "The projects in the 2024 budget were executed by contractors, many of whom borrowed from banks to complete them. But the government has not paid them. Since the Finance Ministers refused to settle the 2024 budget, no fresh contracts could be awarded under 2025. That is why almost every sector is grounded," he explained.
Health Sector Suffers Severe Funding Shortfalls
Highlighting the dire state of the health sector, Dr. Linus referenced Minister of Health Prof Ali Pate's recent appeal before the National Assembly. Prof Pate reportedly lamented that only ₦36 million was released from the ₦218 billion allocated in the 2025 budget, severely hampering the functionality of hospitals and doctors.
"We watched Prof Pate almost collapse in tears yesterday, lamenting how only ₦36 million was released out of over ₦218 billion appropriated in the 2025 budget. Imagine a professional doctor, bound by the Hippocratic Oath, being frustrated by the misdemeanour of his colleagues," Dr. Linus said.
Prof Pate attributed these issues to cash flow constraints and systemic bottlenecks in the federal budget execution process, noting that while personnel components were fully funded, capital allocations faced critical shortages.
Calls for Accountability and Legislative Reforms
Dr. Linus urged the National Assembly to implement stricter accountability measures, suggesting that federal agencies should not receive new budgetary allocations if they fail to perform in previous fiscal years, with exceptions for critical sectors like health, education, and security.
"The issue here is very simple. The Finance Ministers and the Accountant-General are responsible for making the 2025 budget perform. Because they did not, doctors go on strike, schools threaten action, hospitals lack drugs, and every sector suffers," he emphasized.
NVATD also demanded swift legislative action on pending reforms, including updates to the Electoral Act, to restore public confidence in government processes.
Background on the 2025 Budget
The 2025 budget, titled "Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity," was designed to stabilize the economy, improve living standards, and reposition Nigeria for greater performance. It aligns with the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on economic stability and national development at a crucial juncture in the country's trajectory.
