The fact that twenty‑six Nigerian states are outspending their revenues is a recipe for trouble, wo. The World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update shows that between 2023 and 2025, median state expenditure jumped about 134% in real terms while revenue only grew 79%, meaning most governors are spending faster than the money they actually collect. The surge in cash came from big reforms – removal of the petrol subsidy, FX market tweaks and better tax collection – which lifted federation revenues by roughly 69% and boosted states’ share to N7.37 trillion by 2025. Yet that windfall has been turned into a spending spree, especially on transport projects that swelled from N100 billion to N2.5 trillion. Some states like Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Kano and a few others managed to keep spending in line, but the majority are widening the gap, risking fiscal strain and future borrowing. If the money runs dry, we’ll see delayed salaries, crumbling infrastructure and a loss of public trust – comot body! The sensible move is to tighten fiscal discipline, match spending to sustainable revenue streams and focus on high‑impact capital projects rather than vanity spending. Let’s hear how we can push our governors to be sure guys about budgeting, not just flash in the pan.
State spending sprinting ahead of revenue – a fiscal nightmare?
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