Atiku Demands Probe Into ₦8.8tn Off-Budget Spending Under Tinubu Govt

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for a full investigation into what he described as unapproved government spending running into about ₦8.8 trillion. He made the call after referring to observations contained in the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV consultation on Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Atiku said a Reuters report published on July 1, 2026, cited the IMF as stating that public expenditure equal to about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was not included in recent federal budgets. He said the amount involved was estimated at about ₦8.8 trillion and claimed the money was spent outside the country’s approved budget process.

The former vice president described the development as a serious issue that deserves public attention. He urged Nigerians, civil society groups, the media, the National Assembly and other democratic institutions to demand a proper explanation of how the funds were used.

According to Atiku, the spending was linked to major government projects that were allegedly carried out without being reflected in the approved national budget. He argued that such a process avoided legislative approval, procurement rules and the normal checks expected from the Office of the Auditor-General.

He also claimed that the approach resembled a financial model previously used in Lagos State and alleged that it had now been extended to the Federal Government.

Atiku further alleged that around ₦800 billion was deducted from statutory allocations meant for state governments without constitutional or legislative approval. He claimed the funds were redirected without following due process.

He argued that the combined value of the alleged off-budget spending and deductions from state allocations raised concerns about the possible creation of funds that could be used for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former presidential candidate also linked the issue to the recent debate surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). He said both developments pointed to what he described as a lack of openness in the management of public finances.

Atiku noted that while Nigerians continue to deal with the effects of fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate reforms and high interest rates, reports of large amounts of public funds being spent outside the approved budget should not be ignored.

He maintained that better financial management and transparency would have created more opportunities to support businesses, create jobs, grow the economy and improve living conditions across the country.

Atiku called on the National Assembly to begin an immediate investigation into the issues raised in the IMF report. He also asked the Auditor-General of the Federation to carry out a detailed audit of all projects and spending allegedly executed outside the approved budget.

He further requested that the Federal Government publish details of every project funded outside the budget, including the names of contractors, the procurement process used and the officials who approved the spending.

The former vice president also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other anti-corruption agencies to investigate both the alleged off-budget spending and the reported deductions from state allocations.

He also called for the restoration of the alleged ₦800 billion deducted from state governments and asked the Federal Government to explain how the money was spent. In addition, he appealed to civil society organisations, professional bodies, the private sector and international development partners to continue pushing for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.