Centre for Social Justice Urges Immediate Release of 2026 Capital Budget Funds

In a significant appeal to the Federal Government, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has urged the immediate release of funds necessary for the execution of the 2026 capital budget. The organization asserts that ongoing delays not only contravene the Constitution but also breach the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Appropriation Act, thereby undermining the integrity of public financial management.

In an open letter addressed to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and dated September 9, 2026, CSJ Lead Director Eze Onyekpere emphasized the urgent need for transparency and accountability in governmental financial operations. The letter, which was also sent to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, demands a public explanation for the delays in fund disbursement.

Referencing Section 48(1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates timely disclosure in public financial management, CSJ has called for all outstanding funds needed to fulfill both the carried-over 2025 capital budget and the 2026 budget to be released without further hesitation. They argue that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, clearly stipulates that annual budgets should be executed within the fiscal year they are approved, making it essential that the current year’s capital budget is implemented promptly.

“The practice of extending capital budget implementation into subsequent years is an aberration that creates confusion and inefficiency in governance,” said Onyekpere.

The CSJ’s call for action highlights an ongoing concern among civil society organizations regarding fiscal governance in Nigeria. With the nation’s development projects often reliant on timely funding, the implications of these delays could hinder economic progress and public trust in governmental institutions.