The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over Nigeria’s fiscal transparency, revealing that public spending equivalent to about 2% of GDP, roughly ₦8.8 trillion, was not captured in recent official budgets.
According to IMF Resident Representative Christian Ebeke, this off-budget expenditure, largely linked to major government projects executed outside the formal budget framework, has created a gap between reported fiscal deficits and actual financing needs.
With Nigeria’s 2025 GDP at approximately ₦441.5 trillion, the unreported figure highlights potential weaknesses in public financial management and accountability.
Opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have demanded a full probe, while the government maintains that all spending follows constitutional processes, describing the issue as one of reporting standards rather than misconduct.
This development could impact investor confidence and ongoing economic reforms.
