Some financial experts have advised the federal government to adopt more realistic revenue assumptions, prudent debt management, and innovative asset utilisation to ensure effective appropriation and implementation of the 2026 budget.

The experts, in separate interviews in Lagos, said conservative projections, equity-based asset management, and higher oil output would strengthen government finances and reduce implementation risks.

Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, urged the government to rein in optimism when setting revenue targets, warning that overambitious assumptions often undermine budget performance.

“The more conservative we are, the better for us, regarding budgetary appropriation and implementation,” Mr Yusuf said.

He cautioned against overly optimistic revenue projections, noting that they often create funding gaps, especially when multiple constituency projects are included.

“We should not be too optimistic regarding revenue assumption, because it creates all sorts of challenges, particularly when there are too many constituency projects for implementation,” he said.

Mr Yusuf also stressed the need for stronger debt management, describing Nigeria’s rising debt profile as worrisome.

“Our current debt is becoming worrisome, both local and foreign components, and it’s a given to service them because it’s a first-line charge,” he said.

According to him, heavy debt servicing can tighten fiscal space and limit the government’s ability to fully execute the budget.

“This could result in tight fiscal space and the inability of the government to adequately implement the budget,” Yusuf added.

On alternative funding strategies, Ayo Teriba, CEO of Economic Associates, advocated greater equity participation in government assets to boost revenues.

“Allowing private entities through foreign direct investment to manage government productive assets will enhance fiscal revenues and support full budget implementation,” Mr Teriba said.

He described the approach as a more sustainable alternative to a heavy reliance on international commodity markets, which are vulnerable to shocks.

“This innovative measure to fund the proposed budget is better than relying on international commodity products, which are prone to shocks,” he noted.

Mr Teriba said the model should also be applied to infrastructure development to prevent abandoned or underfunded projects.

“This will ensure that projects are completed and avoid the errors of the past, where projects are often not executed to the letter due to inadequate funding,” he said.

He noted that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and India were already deploying similar models to meet their infrastructure needs.

Also speaking, Chris Nemedia, a former director of the research department at the Central Bank of Nigeria, said boosting crude oil production remained critical to strengthening government revenue.

“The government increasing its production above the 1.8 million barrels per day benchmark could enhance government revenues,” Mr Nemedia said. “Then executing the budget will not be a challenge for the government.”

Mr Nemedia also urged the National Assembly to fast-track the budget approval process to allow timely implementation.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday  presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N58.18 trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly.

(NAN)