BudgIT Warns Nigeria May Borrow for Nearly Half of 2026 Budget

BudgIT has warned that Nigeria may need to borrow for nearly half of its 2026 budget as the projected deficit rises to ₦31.45 trillion.

Business News Nigeria reported that the civic technology organisation raised the concern while reviewing the Federal Government’s approved 2026 budget framework.

Tribune Online also reported BudgIT’s warning, linking the concern to the repeated extension of capital spending timelines and wider questions about budget discipline.

The organisation said the ₦68.32 trillion spending plan is ambitious and could place heavy pressure on borrowing if revenue assumptions do not improve.

BudgIT’s concern is that a large deficit can increase debt-service pressure, limit fiscal room for priority services and make capital projects harder to fund on schedule.

The warning follows earlier commentary from Leadership and TVC News that described the 2026 budget as ambitious while noting doubts about how quickly the government can raise the revenue needed to finance it.

The issue is especially important because capital spending has already faced execution delays, with lawmakers extending the implementation window for previous budget components.

BudgIT is urging tighter fiscal discipline, clearer revenue realism and better budget implementation so that borrowing does not crowd out essential public spending or deepen debt risks.

The warning is likely to feed debate over how the government balances infrastructure ambitions with debt sustainability and the need to fund everyday services.

It also puts fresh attention on revenue collection, project selection and the credibility of assumptions used to defend the size of the spending plan.

Sources: Business News Nigeria, Tribune Online