Headlines

Untold Story Of 2016 Budget Padding

Published

10 years ago

February 8, 2016

By Emmanuel IFFER, Abuja

Many top civil servants are yet to wake up to the realisation that things have changed in the way government business is conducted, this is evident in the attempt by some government officials handling budget estimates to as usual manipulate and introduce some items for selfish gain into the 2016 estimate.
Findings by nationalTRAIL reveal that, like others before it, the 2016 budget estimate had items worth over 1.7 Trillion naira included in the final copy that was eventually presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly for necessary legislative action.
The budget estimate had items such as Aso Clinic(State House Medical Centre), as well as some items, simply lumped together as communication equipment, amongst several others that do not really march up with the vision of the present administration, neither has any direct or indirect impact on the lives of Nigerians.
A situation which is said to have not only embarrassed the president, but the whole of the cabinet and the presidency, which is why there are reports of the president’s harmer descending on some of the top officials involved in the act.
nationalTRAIL, learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari, has already ordered a compilation of names of officials fingered in the smuggling of items into the estimates, and it may only be a matter of time before his hammer falls on those who may have been manipulating the budgetary processes, by injecting figures that are later siphoned for private uses.
Findings reveal that, already, Permanent Secretaries who are the accounting officers of the various ministries and directors of finance and Accounts, under whose purview the preparation of budgets are anchored have been making frantic efforts to stave off the President’s action.
Knowledgeable sources told this newspaper that some of those bureaucrats handling budget issues, and have mastered the act of smuggling items that were not originally intended by the government to be included in the yearly estimates, had tried as it has become the norm, to frustrate the budget presentation before the end of last year.
“ You can see that this year’s budget also came in December, I can tell you that this is was deliberate, it was all to frustrate early presentation, these experts know how to create these problems, so there would not be enough time for proper scrutiny of the budget, knowing also that Nigerians are anxious to see things happening, and would also afford them the opportunity of last minutes rush and contract bazaar”
Another reliable source, conversant with the workings of the budget system, told our correspondent that budget preparation remains one of the biggest area where billions of the country’s resources are diverted into private pockets, saying, “ If we are serious to develop this country, we must be serious with our budgeting process, in fact we don’t have a budget, check it, in the last two or three years, have we had a budget in the real sense of it?.
“How can you be debating a budget till June in the year the budget should actually be working for the people, when will you implement it?, in the past years, Nigerian budget has not gone beyond 30 percent implementation, a budget is supposed to be ready latest by December 31, of the previous year, so that implementation begins January 1 of the intended year’, the source argued.
“ If we are serious, we must make it a constitutional thing, defining when a budget must be ready and announced just like it is done in other serious nations; like the USA whose budget for next year must get to the congress by February, that is the way to go.”
Further investigation reveal how the budget padding has been so perfected by MDAs in connivance with the Budget Office and budget committee at Federal Ministry of Finance, to the extent that it would require more than just an eagle eye to uncover.
nationalTRAIL learnt that sometimes the padding begins at the stage of issuing budgetary circular by the Federal Ministry of Finance, which is usually referred to as envelop, in which a ceiling is given to each MDA. Investigation showed that some MDAs and their top officials usually bribe at the envelop stage before circulars are issued so as to get a higher ceiling, or sometimes lobby and bribe at the budget committee level.
The National assembly is equally not insulated from this, according a source at the nation’s apex legislature; as most of the padding are allegedly perpetuated at that level since that arm of government has the final say in the budget process.
“ It is here that most of the padding of budget is done, MDAs come here to lobby and even bribe their way, those that cannot usually receive smaller allocations that can hardly meet their actual needs.
“ Let me tell you, most of what you see as passed budget is usually full of interest both at executive and legislative levels, not the genuine interest of developing the country” the source concluded.
It could be recalled that in 2005, then Minister for Education, Fabian Osuji and some members of the National Assembly, were accused of demanding and receiving bribe to increase the education ministry’s budgetary allocation, when Senator Adolfus Wambara, was the President of the Senate, an allegation that caused his removal as senate president.
But shortly after the initial national broadcast by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, and subsequent arrest of the accused, the matter has remained a mystery till date, with some of the principal actors, such as; Gabriel Suswam, then chairman house committee on Appropriation becoming the Governor of Benue State, while others have since moved on to other things, while the nation continue to bleed.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.