Business
States’ Capital Projects Delayed by N4.5tn Funding Shortfall

About 29 state governments in Nigeria are currently grappling with a funding shortfall of N4.5tn, delaying critical infrastructure projects across the country. This deficit underscores the struggle to meet the planned capital expenditure goals for key development initiatives.
According to reports, the states collectively allocated N3.76tn for capital projects out of an N8.25tn target, leaving them short by N4.25tn. Despite a 40% rise in monthly federal allocations, the shortfall reveals a significant gap between planned capital spending and actual execution.
This situation reflects a stark contrast to 2023, when N4.04tn was spent on capital expenditure by sub-national governments, with the current nine months of 2024 witnessing a N280bn decline.
The states’ fiscal struggles are compounded by debt servicing. Between January and September 2024, these states allocated N658.93bn to service debts from both local and international creditors. Meanwhile, internal revenue generation fell short—states raised N1.92tn but were expected to generate N2.868tn, creating a deficit of N948.28bn.
Experts attribute this funding gap to persistent issues such as low internal revenue generation, heavy reliance on federal allocations, and rising recurrent costs. Notably, N1.994tn was spent on recurrent expenses in the first nine months of the year, which included administrative costs such as sitting allowances, utilities, and travel expenses.
A closer look at individual states’ spending reveals varied levels of capital investment execution:
- Lagos: Spent N770.03bn (57.8% of its N1.32tn target).
- Rivers: Spent N431.86bn, exceeding its target by 79.6%.
- Delta: Disbursed N237.09bn, reaching 58.1% of its N408.35bn target.
- Ebonyi: Executed N103.41bn, achieving 77.9% of its target.
- Ekiti: Reached N59.79bn, equating to 84.7% of its N70.62bn goal.
Conversely, states like Benue (14.7%), Imo (29.3%), and Niger (26.8%) have faced challenges, lagging far behind their targets due to financial constraints and competing expenditures.
Credit rating agency Fitch has flagged concerns about the states’ inability to execute 40% of their capital expenditure budgets. The agency attributes this to factors such as limited internally generated revenue, inflation, low tax collection efficiency, and high recurrent spending.
The report also pointed out that most Nigerian states depend on FAAC (Federation Account Allocation Committee) transfers and subsidised federal funding to finance key projects, leaving them vulnerable to funding gaps and implementation delays.
The federal government has not fared better, with its capital spending declining by 25.3% to N1.99tn in the first half of 2024 from N2.68tn in the previous year. Experts note that shifts in budget priorities from capital expenditure to debt servicing and personnel costs are key drivers of this decline.
Experts suggest that addressing this shortfall requires a multi-pronged approach, including improved tax collection, better revenue diversification, and strategic partnerships between state and federal governments. As Nigeria battles with this funding gap, achieving sustained economic growth and addressing the population’s infrastructure needs remain critical priorities.
Business
CBN expresses commitment to FX Code

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, stating that its operations align with the principles of the code.
In a statement signed by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy Mohammad Abdullahi, and Director of the Financial Markets Department Dr. Omolara Duke, the apex bank emphasized that its decision follows a review of the FX Global Code and recognition that the code represents a set of principles widely acknowledged as good practice in the foreign exchange market.
The statement confirmed that the CBN acts as a regulator to market participants as defined by the code and is committed to overseeing FX market activities in a manner consistent with its principles.
“To this end, the Bank has taken appropriate steps, based on the size and complexity of the FX Market, and therefore aligns its roles with the principles of the Code,” the statement added.
Business
FG launches electronic asset register to boost investment

The Federal Government has launched a national electronic assets register to provide real-time access to information on government-owned assets, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more investments into the country.
The digital registry was introduced by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, during an event that also featured the unveiling of a compendium of FAAC allocations to federal, state, and local governments from 2020 to 2023.
Madein described the initiative as a major milestone in improving public resource management, emphasizing that it is essential for financial sustainability and integrity. She stated that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling public funds and assets.
She noted that giving citizens access to information about public asset management would increase government accountability. “Whether it is infrastructure, equipment, or other public property, every asset must be accounted for,” she said.
The real-time access provided by the digital register is expected to support policy formulation, budgeting, and planning. Madein explained that by having a clear understanding of the government’s assets and their conditions, policymakers can make more informed decisions on resource allocation, investment management, and potential privatisation or public-private partnerships (PPPs) for underutilized assets.
She added that the initiative also aligns with international best practices, supporting Nigeria’s adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These standards will help strengthen the credibility and integrity of the country’s financial statements.
On the compendium of FAAC allocations, Madein stated that it provides a detailed breakdown of revenue distribution to the three tiers of government and serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who officially unveiled the compendium, praised the Accountant General’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability. She described the electronic asset register as an important tool that will help determine the real value of Nigeria’s assets and create opportunities for local and foreign investment.
Business
Tariff increase will push available power generation to 7,000MW — Minister

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the proposed electricity tariff increase will help boost Nigeria’s available power generation capacity to 7,000 megawatts (MW). This comes after the country recorded its highest-ever available power generation of 6,003MW and a peak evacuation of 5,801.84MW last week.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasized that tariff regularization is crucial for unlocking the sector’s full potential and sustaining ongoing improvements in power generation and distribution.
“To sustain these improvements, the government would have to pay down the tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and address legacy debts of N2 trillion to the GENCOs,” the minister said. He added that continued tariff reforms are necessary to ensure that consumers start paying for the energy they consume.
Adelabu reiterated the government’s intention to raise electricity tariffs for customers in Bands B, C, and D as part of efforts to enhance the sector’s liquidity and reduce subsidy obligations. The planned tariff hike is expected to narrow the gap between Band A customers—who currently pay higher rates—and those in lower bands.
The minister noted that Nigeria recently set another milestone with a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), attributing these achievements to ongoing reforms and infrastructural upgrades in the sector.
“We are thrilled to announce these historic milestones in Nigeria’s power sector,” Adelabu stated. “These achievements represent a brighter future where businesses can thrive, households can enjoy uninterrupted power supply, and the economy can grow sustainably.”
According to the minister, recent improvements result from collaborative efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power and key stakeholders to address longstanding challenges in the sector. These include the rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, implementation of innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, and policy reforms aimed at improving accountability and sustainability.
While celebrating these milestones, Adelabu called for continued support from state governments, private sector stakeholders, and the general public. He stressed the need for collective action to sustain the momentum and build upon the progress made.
With power generation at a record high and tariff reforms on the horizon, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s electricity supply will see lasting improvements, ensuring stable and reliable power for businesses and households nationwide.
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