Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the Nigerian government after revelations that ₦7 trillion in suspicious allocations may have been inserted into the 2025 national budget. The accusations, which stem from findings by budget transparency group BudgIT, have reignited public concerns over rampant corruption and poor financial accountability in the country.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi accused the Nigerian leadership of turning the country into a crime scene and said this level of corruption must be addressed for the country to progress. He said Nigeria must cease to function as a crime scene and instead be repositioned for real development.
Fraudulent Insertions Bigger Than Education and Health Budgets
The controversy centers on ₦7 trillion worth of questionable projects allegedly inserted into the federal budget. BudgIT’s analysis points to numerous inflated, duplicated, or suspicious allocations that could indicate large-scale budget padding. Obi noted that this alleged fraud is larger than the combined budgets for four key government ministries: Education, Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Agriculture.
According to official figures, the Ministry of Education received ₦3.52 trillion, Health was allocated ₦2.48 trillion, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation got ₦260 billion, while Agriculture and Food Security received ₦636.08 billion. Altogether, those ministries received ₦6.896 trillion, which is still less than the ₦7 trillion Obi says has been lost to alleged fraud.
He also pointed out that the amount in question exceeds the ₦6.1 trillion budgeted for national security, despite Nigeria facing worsening security issues. He said this level of impunity is the reason the country cannot make sufficient investments in education, which is why nearly 20 million Nigerian children remain out of school.
Obi Links Corruption to Poor Health, Education, and Hunger
The former Anambra State governor said the country’s poor investment in healthcare and agriculture, along with rising child malnutrition and widespread hunger, directly result from how funds are diverted through budget fraud. According to him, the consequences of corruption are felt in every part of society, from broken hospitals to underfunded schools and food shortages.
He stated that these were not random failures but the outcome of fiscal recklessness and misuse of national resources. He emphasized that Nigerian leaders continue to mismanage funds that should be directed toward improving education, healthcare, food security, and poverty alleviation.
The ₦7 Trillion May Be Just a Fraction
Obi also suggested that the ₦7 trillion identified by BudgIT might only be a portion of the total amount misappropriated. He said a detailed forensic review of the budget would likely reveal even more instances of corruption and waste. According to him, the real loss could be far greater, especially considering how deeply rooted corruption has become in Nigeria’s budgeting process.
He stressed the need for an urgent national response to address what he called unchecked mismanagement of funds. Obi said Nigeria must confront corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness with firm resolve and called for national resources to be managed transparently and invested wisely to improve the lives of citizens.
BudgIT’s History of Exposing Budget Irregularities
BudgIT, the organization that uncovered the budget discrepancies, is a civic tech platform known for tracking Nigeria’s public spending and advocating for fiscal transparency. Over the years, the group has flagged several irregularities in the country’s budget, including duplicated capital projects, inflated contracts, and wasteful spending.
In its latest report, BudgIT identified billions of naira in questionable insertions in the 2025 budget and has called for public scrutiny and reform. While BudgIT has previously exposed similar issues, the scale of the alleged fraud in this year’s budget has raised even more serious concerns.
Although some government officials have pushed back on BudgIT’s past reports, no response has been issued yet regarding the current ₦7 trillion allegations. The silence from official quarters has only fueled further criticism and speculation.
Government Remains Silent Amid Public Outrage
Despite the seriousness of the allegations and growing public interest, the Nigerian government has not issued a formal response. The presidency and the Federal Ministry of Finance have so far declined to comment on the claims. This silence has been widely criticized as a sign of either institutional complacency or a lack of political will to tackle corruption.
Observers say the government’s failure to respond could further erode public trust, especially at a time when citizens are demanding more transparency and better use of public funds.
Obi Ends With Call for Reform
Peter Obi wrapped up his statement by renewing his call for national transformation and accountability. He said that a better Nigeria could only be built through honest leadership and responsible governance. He ended with the campaign slogan that defined his 2023 presidential run: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Looking Forward
The latest budget scandal has placed fresh pressure on the government to act decisively on corruption. It also highlights the ongoing role of civic groups like BudgIT in ensuring transparency in how public funds are managed. As Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, rising inflation, and worsening insecurity, demands for reform and responsible leadership are likely to intensify.
Whether the government takes decisive action or allows the scandal to fade without consequence will be a major test of its commitment to transparency and good governance. For now, Obi’s strong condemnation and BudgIT’s findings have once again brought corruption to the center of Nigeria’s national conversation.
