BudgIt Urges Tinubu Government to Publish Budget Data Amid PFIPC Controversy

Nigeria’s leading civic technology and public finance advocacy group, BudgIt Foundation, has called on the Federal Government to strengthen transparency by making key public finance data readily accessible, arguing that public confidence can only be restored through verifiable records rather than official statements.

The call comes amid growing public debate surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a development that has sparked wider conversations about accountability, government oversight, and the management of public institutions.

BudgIt Demands Greater Transparency

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, BudgIt’s Country Director, Vahyala Kwaga, emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should complement public pronouncements with comprehensive financial data.

According to Kwaga, Nigerians deserve unrestricted access to information contained in the Federal Budget and financial records maintained by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, allowing citizens, researchers, and lawmakers to independently verify government spending and institutional activities.

He argued that transparency should not be limited to explanations presented during legislative investigations but should instead be supported by publicly available figures that promote accountability.

How Nigeria’s Budget System Works

Explaining the budgeting process, Kwaga outlined how Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) participate in preparing the national budget.

He noted that government agencies submit their budget proposals through the Budget Preparation System (BPS), which operates within the Government Integrated Financial Information Management System (GIFMIS).

According to him, each MDA is assigned a unique code within the system before participating in the federal budgeting process.

Kwaga stressed that while the Budget Office of the Federation supervises parts of the budgeting process, it does not have complete control over the GIFMIS platform itself.

He suggested that any irregularities involving institutional records or agency creation would likely have occurred at another stage within the broader government financial management system.

Oversight Institutions Under Spotlight

The BudgIt official also pointed to several government institutions responsible for ensuring proper administration of federal agencies.

These include:

• The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which oversees the coordination of federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
• The Budget Office of the Federation, which supervises budget preparation and implementation.
• The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which has previously acknowledged existing administrative loopholes within parts of the public service.

Kwaga said these oversight mechanisms should work together to ensure institutional accountability and prevent governance gaps.

Why the PFIPC Debate Matters

Although discussions surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) have generated significant public interest, the controversy has also reignited broader concerns over transparency in Nigeria’s public finance management.

Civil society organizations have increasingly advocated for open government data, arguing that easy public access to budget documents, expenditure records, and institutional information strengthens democratic accountability and improves citizens’ trust in public institutions.

Experts note that transparent financial reporting also enables lawmakers, auditors, journalists, and anti-corruption organizations to independently evaluate government performance.

Background

BudgIt Foundation is widely recognized for promoting fiscal transparency and citizen engagement in Nigeria’s public finance system. Through data-driven analysis and simplified budget reporting, the organization regularly advocates for greater openness in government spending and policy implementation.

The Federal Government has, in recent years, expanded digital financial management platforms such as GIFMIS to improve accountability and streamline public expenditure management. However, transparency advocates continue to push for broader public access to financial records and budget implementation data.

What Happens Next?

Public attention is expected to remain focused on whether the Federal Government releases additional information concerning the PFIPC and whether relevant oversight institutions provide further clarification on the issues raised.

Analysts also expect continued scrutiny from lawmakers, civil society organizations, and governance experts as discussions on transparency and public accountability evolve.