As the federal government begins laying the groundwork for the 2026 fiscal year, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations is demanding a radical shift in how public funds are allocated. During a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, these groups warned that the current economic climate is pushing the country’s most vulnerable citizens to the brink, making it essential for the upcoming budget to move beyond vague promises and into direct, sector-specific relief.
A major point of contention raised during the session was the government’s reliance on cash transfers. Instead of distributing physical currency, the groups urged the administration to channel resources into tangible interventions within the transport, food, and energy sectors. Eze Onyekpere, the Lead Director of Civil Social Justice, argued that any social protection framework must be backed by credible data and funded directly by the savings realized from the removal of subsidies. The goal, he noted, should be to lower the actual cost of living rather than handing out temporary stipends.
The state of the nation’s refineries also came under heavy fire. Onyekpere called for an immediate investigation into the $2.9 billion spent on refinery repairs over the last four years with zero results to show for it. He insisted that those responsible for this massive waste of public funds must face prosecution. Furthermore, the coalition suggested that the government should either sell or concession these facilities immediately. The logic is simple: if they remain idle, they will eventually be worth nothing more than scrap metal, especially as they struggle to compete with modern private facilities like the Dangote Refinery.
Power supply remains another bottleneck that the 2026 budget must address with more than just rhetoric. The groups are calling for stricter oversight of Distribution Companies, insisting they must meet their obligations to upgrade equipment and manage the grid effectively. Andrew Mamedu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, added that the federal regulator needs to hold the transmission sector accountable for the massive energy losses recorded during distribution. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive “value for money” audit regarding the billions of dollars in loans Nigeria has taken out specifically to fix the power sector, which still seems to be in a state of flux.
Transparency in debt management formed the final pillar of the group’s demands. Celestine Okwudili Odo, who heads Programs and Policy for the coalition, stated that the Debt Management Office needs to be more proactive. To align with international best practices, Odo suggested that debt updates should be published within 30 days of the end of every quarter. This level of openness, would allow Nigerians to track exactly how much the country owes and ensure that the government is not borrowing the future of its citizens without a clear plan for repayment.
