Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has urged the media to deepen its engagement with Nigeria's budget process. He made the call during a speech at the Senate Press Corps Capacity-Building Workshop, organised around the theme "Leveraging Legislative Oversight and Media Collaboration to Safeguard the National Budget from Unlawful Insertion."
Bagudu emphasized that effective scrutiny of the national budget must go beyond identifying controversial provisions to understanding the constitutional process, the rationale for budgetary choices, and the development needs those provisions address. He urged journalists to ask the right questions and investigate budget provisions thoroughly.
According to Bagudu, Nigeria's relatively limited fiscal space, given the size of its population and development needs, makes it necessary to broaden the national conversation on resource mobilisation and public investment. He linked the discussion to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration's ambition to build a more prosperous and inclusive economy.
The Minister noted that the ambition to build a $1 trillion economy requires Nigerians to confront difficult questions about how the country mobilises resources and funds development. He asked if Nigeria should continue with a budget that leaves its populace with one of the smallest budgets or consider mobilising more resources.
Bagudu underscored the National Assembly's constitutional role in the budget process, noting that the legislature has ultimate authority over the national budget within Nigeria's constitutional democracy. He urged greater public understanding of the relationship between the Executive and the legislature in shaping the budget.
Regarding alleged budget insertions, the Minister cautioned against assuming that every unfamiliar provision is an irregularity, stressing the need to investigate the origin, purpose, and beneficiaries of specific provisions. He cited examples of provisions that may appear questionable but could address genuine needs in particular communities.
Bagudu called for a balanced discussion on budget transparency, particularly where disclosure of sensitive information could have implications for national security or strategic interests. He urged the media to remain rigorous in holding public institutions to account while ensuring coverage of the national budget does not lose sight of Nigeria's broader development challenges and ambitions.
Key points
- The Minister emphasized the importance of public understanding and support for the government's fiscal decisions.
- Bagudu urged the media to promote informed public discourse on the national budget and strengthen accountability.
- The Minister highlighted the need for a balanced discussion on budget transparency and national security.
