The Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) has dismissed claims that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) operates a N246.77 billion salaries budget, describing the narrative as false, misleading and based on a misunderstanding of Nigeria’s budgeting process.
The BOF explained that the N246.77 billion figure being cited is a consolidated statutory allocation captured at an aggregate level under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), not a personnel-only budget as being widely claimed.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Director-General, Tanimu Yakubu, the Budget Office said suggestions that the NEDC exists mainly to pay salaries are unfounded. It warned that such claims distort public understanding and undermine accountability when fiscal information is misrepresented.
The Office clarified that reports suggesting N244 billion was strictly earmarked for personnel costs are incorrect. According to the BOF, during budget preparation, incomplete or pending breakdowns can temporarily cause figures to appear under personnel cost headings as technical placeholders, a common budgeting practice.
It stressed that the N246.77 billion allocation reflects a statutory lump-sum provision presented at a broad level, in line with established practices for statutory and quasi-statutory agencies under the MTEF.
Addressing concerns about capital spending, the Budget Office explained that the N2.70 billion capital expenditure figure cited by commentators resulted from a decision by the National Assembly to defer about 70 per cent of capital votes to the 2026 fiscal year. It said this was purely a matter of appropriation timing and does not mean that the commission lacks projects.
The BOF added that official budget documents clearly show ongoing development interventions across the North East, warning that focusing on a single budget line without considering project schedules gives a misleading picture.
It also defended the inclusion of personnel costs in the commission’s budget, noting that such expenses are necessary for effective project delivery. According to the Office, development institutions require skilled professionals such as engineers, project managers, procurement officers and monitoring teams to function properly.
The Budget Office further noted that the NEDC operates under strict accountability mechanisms, including the MTEF, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly oversight, quarterly performance reports and statutory audits.
While welcoming public scrutiny, the BOF urged commentators and the public to engage budget information responsibly and with proper context, warning that misinformation weakens accountability and misrepresents how government budgets are structured and implemented.
