The Nigerian Government has dismissed claims that it spent more than ₦8 trillion outside the approved budget, describing the allegations as false and based on a misrepresentation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the government said recent public commentary alleging that approximately two per cent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), amounting to over ₦8 trillion, was spent outside the budget was inaccurate and risked misleading Nigerians about the country's public financial management.
"The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two percent of GDP amounting to over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund's 2026 Article IV Consultation Report," the statement said.
"These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government's financial management."
The ministry insisted that the government does not operate what it described as a "shadow budget" or spend public funds outside constitutional and statutory provisions.
