The Budget Office of the Federation has categorically stated that recent reports alleging the North East Development Commission (NEDC) operates a N246 billion “salaries budget” are false and misleading.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, and signed by Tanimu Yakubu, Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, the Office clarified that the N246.77 billion reflected against the NEDC in the federal budget is a statutory lump-sum provision, not an allocation for personnel costs alone.
The statement described the widespread claim as “inaccurate” and “rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding” of the government’s budgeting framework.
The Office explained that during the initial budget preparation under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), allocations for statutory bodies like the NEDC are often presented at an aggregate level. If an agency has not submitted a complete internal economic breakdown at the point of upload, the total sum may temporarily appear under the “Personnel Cost” heading as a technical placeholder.
“This technical presentation must not be confused with spending intent,” the statement emphasised, noting that final allocations are adjusted following detailed submissions and legislative approval.
The Office also addressed the cited figure of N2.70 billion for capital expenditure, clarifying that it reflects a legislative decision to rephase capital votes, with about 70 per cent rolled into the 2026 fiscal year for sequenced implementation. This, it stated, was a matter of timing and does not indicate an absence of development projects.
“The claim that the NEDC exists merely to pay salaries is unfounded,” said Tanimu Yakubu, Director General of the Budget Office. He pointed to project schedules within the official budget documents that show multiple ongoing interventions in the North East, including agricultural support, food security initiatives, construction of orphanages, rehabilitation of IDP camps, and provision of boreholes and security logistics.
Yakubu stressed that personnel costs for a development commission are necessary to fund the engineers, project managers, and oversight teams required to execute projects effectively. He reiterated that the NEDC operates under strict accountability frameworks, including National Assembly oversight and statutory audits.
The statement concluded by urging commentators and the public to engage responsibly with fiscal information, warning that “misinformation does not serve accountability, and ignorance of the budget process should not be weaponised as public commentary.”
Discussion about this post