Akabueze: Nigeria Spends More On Running Government Than Infrastructure — It’s Unsustainable

Ben Akabueze, director-general of the budget office of the
federation, says Nigeria’s high recurrent expenditure has
constrained investment in capital projects meant to improve the
standard of living.

In December, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2021
appropriation bill of N13.588 trillion into law.

The bill tagged “budget of economic recovery and resilience” was
signed more than a week after federal lawmakers raised its total
sum by N508 billion.

With the increase of the total budget size, N4.125 trillion will
be allocated for capital expenditure, N3.324 trillion was earmarked
for debt service, while the sum of N5.641 trillion was voted for
recurrent (non-debt expenditure).

Speaking during a virtual presentation on Tuesday, Akabueze said
Nigeria’s current spending structure is unsustainable.

He said low revenue collection and high recurrent costs have
resulted in actual capital expenditure below N2 trillion ($4.88
billion) a year for a decade.

Akabueze said recurrent spending, allocated towards salaries and
running costs, has accounted for more than 75 percent of the public
budget every year since 2011.

“Hence, the investments required to bridge the infrastructure
gap are way beyond the means available to the government,” he
said.

“Huge recurrent expenditure has constrained the provision of
good roads, steady power supply, health care services, quality
education and quality shelter.”

Akabueze called for a return to regional government, saying the
constitution should be amended to create six regions to replace the
existing 36 states.

He added that there is a need for the reduction of ministers to
a maximum of 24 while federal ministries should be reduced to less
than 20.

“No country can develop where a large part of its earnings is
spent on administrative structures rather than on capital
investment,” he added.

Ben Akabueze, director-general of the budget office of the
federation, says Nigeria’s high recurrent expenditure has
constrained investment in capital projects meant to improve the
standard of living.

In December, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2021
appropriation bill of N13.588 trillion into law.

The bill tagged “budget of economic recovery and resilience” was
signed more than a week after federal lawmakers raised its total
sum by N508 billion.

With the increase of the total budget size, N4.125 trillion will
be allocated for capital expenditure, N3.324 trillion was earmarked
for debt service, while the sum of N5.641 trillion was voted for
recurrent (non-debt expenditure).

Speaking during a virtual presentation on Tuesday, Akabueze said
Nigeria’s current spending structure is unsustainable.

He said low revenue collection and high recurrent costs have
resulted in actual capital expenditure below N2 trillion ($4.88
billion) a year for a decade.

Akabueze said recurrent spending, allocated towards salaries and
running costs, has accounted for more than 75 percent of the public
budget every year since 2011.

“Hence, the investments required to bridge the infrastructure
gap are way beyond the means available to the government,” he
said.

“Huge recurrent expenditure has constrained the provision of
good roads, steady power supply, health care services, quality
education and quality shelter.”

Akabueze called for a return to regional government, saying the
constitution should be amended to create six regions to replace the
existing 36 states.

He added that there is a need for the reduction of ministers to
a maximum of 24 while federal ministries should be reduced to less
than 20.

“No country can develop where a large part of its earnings is
spent on administrative structures rather than on capital
investment,” he added.