News
Budget Office Rejects Claim That NEDC Has ₦246bn Salary-Only Budget
Joel Ajayi
The Budget Office of the Federation has dismissed reports claiming that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is operating a ₦246 billion budget devoted solely to salaries, describing the allegation as false, misleading and based on a poor understanding of Nigeria’s federal budgeting process.
In a statement issued in Abuja on January 15, 2026, the Office clarified that the ₦246.77 billion reflected for the NEDC in the federal budget is a statutory lump-sum allocation prepared in line with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), not a salaries-only provision.
It explained that claims suggesting about ₦244 billion of the allocation is for personnel costs are factually incorrect.
According to the Office, during budget preparation, allocations may temporarily appear under the personnel cost line as a technical placeholder where agencies are yet to submit full internal economic breakdowns.
This, it noted, is a recognised budgeting convention pending detailed submissions, legislative scrutiny and approved reallocations during budget execution.
The Office stressed that such technical presentation should not be mistaken for actual spending intent.
Reacting to concerns over capital expenditure, the Budget Office said the ₦2.70 billion figure being cited reflects a National Assembly-approved adjustment in the 2025 budget, with about 70 per cent of the capital allocations rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year.
It said this legislative decision relates to timing and sequencing of appropriations and does not indicate a lack of development projects in the North East.
It pointed to project schedules attached to the budget, which outline ongoing and planned interventions including agricultural support, food security programmes, rehabilitation of IDP camps, construction of orphanages, borehole projects, security logistics support and constituency-level initiatives.
The Office warned that isolating a single budget line while ignoring detailed project schedules amounts to distortion rather than analysis.
Defending the inclusion of personnel costs, the Budget Office noted that development commissions require skilled professionals such as engineers, project managers, procurement officers and monitoring teams to effectively deliver projects.
On accountability, it said the NEDC is subject to multiple oversight mechanisms, including the MTEF, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly oversight, quarterly budget performance reports and statutory audits.
The statement, signed by the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, urged the public to engage responsibly with fiscal information, warning that misinformation weakens, rather than strengthens, accountability.
News
FG Targets 50,000 Youths for Digital Jobs, Deepens Partnerships for Nationwide Empowerment Drive
Joel Ajayi
Federal Government has intensified efforts to empower young Nigerians through strategic partnerships, digital skills development, and inclusive programmes aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, made this known during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined a renewed policy direction focused on measurable impact, transparency, and large-scale youth engagement.
At the core of this effort, he explained, is a landmark partnership with the Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, targeting the training of 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills.
The Minister noted that the initiative is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months of implementation.
Comrade Olawande also highlighted the Ministry’s sector-specific collaborations, including its partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture. He added that this is being complemented by expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy and other key youth empowerment initiatives.
He further disclosed that the government is scaling up internship, gig economy, and startup support programmes to reach a wider range of beneficiaries across the country, while also intensifying efforts to promote digital literacy through The Digital School (TDS) initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
To enhance transparency and ensure merit-based access to opportunities, the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform, “Nigerian New Tech.” He added that ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection are also broadening opportunities for young Nigerians.
During the interview, the Honourable Minister said:“We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact.”
“Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally.”
“For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”
“Our role as government is to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
“Transparency and merit are at the core of all our programmes. Access to opportunities should not depend on who you know, but on your capacity and readiness to grow.”
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, assuring that the Ministry will continue to deepen partnerships, expand programmes, and implement sustainable frameworks for the benefit of present and future generations.
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