By Nkechi Eze
In a move aimed at reinforcing fiscal accountability and promoting transparency in Nigeria’s public finance management, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has announced its readiness to collaborate with BudgiT, a leading civic technology organization focused on transparency in governance. The development was confirmed during a strategic meeting held at the FRC headquarters in Abuja, where both organizations explored mutual areas of collaboration and policy alignment.
According to an official signed statement by Bede Ogueri Anyanwu, Deputy Director and Head of the Strategic Communications Directorate of the Commission, the engagement marks a significant step toward enhancing oversight of capital project implementation at both national and subnational levels.
During the meeting, BudgiT formally presented its Capital Projects Monitoring Manual a comprehensive guide and framework for tracking and assessing public capital projects across Nigeria. The manual, designed to empower stakeholders with tools for effective budget monitoring, was handed over to the Commission as part of BudgiT’s institutional outreach efforts.
Representing the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Victor Muruako, Esq., the Director of the Administration and Human Resources Directorate, Alhaji Muhammed Zailani, reiterated FRC’s commitment to transparency and fiscal discipline. He described the partnership as timely and aligned with the Commission’s constitutional mandate under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
“As part of our mandate, we have intensified public sensitization campaigns, especially targeting the youth and NYSC members, to deepen awareness on fiscal governance,” Zailani said. He also emphasized the need for capacity building within the Commission, proposing workshops on data visualization and digital communication. “Infographics are now one of the most effective ways to communicate information quickly and clearly through digital platforms,” he noted.
On behalf of BudgiT, the delegation was led by Mr. Andrew Oaikhena, Stakeholder Manager, who articulated the purpose of the engagement and reaffirmed BudgiT’s dedication to institutional collaboration. He said the manual was developed to aid MDAs and oversight bodies in addressing common challenges faced in the planning, budgeting, and execution of capital projects.
Oaikhena also highlighted BudgiT’s ongoing work with anti-corruption bodies such as the EFCC and ICPC, noting that the new partnership with the FRC would help prevent the inclusion of inappropriate or unjustifiable items in national and subnational capital budgets. “We are optimistic that this collaboration will serve as a catalyst for reform, ensuring that only projects with value and relevance to citizens are funded and executed,” he said.
He further referenced recent remarks by FRC Chairman Victor Muruako at a Bureau of Public Service Reforms event, where he reaffirmed the Commission’s pivotal role in fostering good governance and prudent public spending.
The event concluded with the symbolic handover of the Capital Projects Monitoring Manual to the Commission, reinforcing a shared institutional vision for a more transparent, accountable, and citizen-driven budgeting process in Nigeria.
