MTEF 2026–2028: Natasha Akpoti Questions FG’s Private Sector Funding Plan

Concerns were raised on Monday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, questioned the Federal Government’s plan to mobilise funds for private sector participation as outlined in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

The senator expressed reservations over what she described as unclear and insufficiently detailed policy directions regarding private-sector financing within the fiscal framework. According to her, the strategy presented by the government appeared vague, especially in explaining how funds would be sourced, managed, or directed to stimulate private-sector growth.

Her concerns were made known during an interactive engagement organised by the Senate Committee on Finance, held at the National Assembly. The session was convened to allow lawmakers to review and interrogate the government’s proposed fiscal roadmap ahead of its consideration.

During the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, formally presented the Federal Government’s fiscal outlook, highlighting key assumptions and expectations underpinning the MTEF document. The framework serves as a guiding instrument for national budgeting and economic planning over a medium-term period.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s intervention focused specifically on the government’s intention to “mop up funds” from the economy to support private-sector activity. She sought clearer explanations on the mechanisms involved, stressing the importance of transparency and precision in fiscal policies that directly affect economic participation and investment confidence.

The exchange formed part of the Senate’s broader oversight responsibility to ensure that fiscal strategies align with national economic realities and are communicated in a manner that allows for informed legislative scrutiny.