A survey by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) on the public budget process has shown that Nigeria scored 19 out of 100 in meaningful public participation.
Also, on budget transparency, the country ranked 92 out of 125 countries surveyed, consequently scoring 31 out of 100.
The Open Budget Survey (OBS) by IBP says it uses a comparative instrument to assess public access to central government budget information, formal opportunities for the public to participate in the national budget process, and the role of budget oversight institutions, such as legislatures and national audit offices, in the budget process.
The data showed that in the last six years, Nigeria has not met the benchmark score of 61 on budget transparency. Other African countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, and Gambia were ranked above Nigeria.
However, while Nigeria ranked low on budget participation and transparency, the country scored 61 out of 100 in budget oversight.
According to the survey, the legislature and audit institutions in Nigeria provide adequate oversight during the budget processes.
| Index | Nigeria’s score | Benchmark |
| Transparency | 31 | 61 |
| Public Participation | 19 | 61 |
| Legislative Oversight | 56 | 61 |
| Audit Oversight | 72 | 61 |
Table showing Nigeria’s average score in OBS 2023
The IBP recommended that Nigeria expand mechanisms during budget implementation to engage any civil society organisation or member of the public who wishes to participate and actively engage with vulnerable and underrepresented communities, directly or through civil society organisations representing them.
It also said that the National Assembly must allow the public or civil society organisations to testify during its hearings on the budget proposal and audit.
On transparency, IBP said Nigeria should publish the in-year reports, mid-year review and audit report online promptly and improve the comprehensiveness of the citizens’ budget.
Global Outlook
With 125 countries surveyed, the global score for transparency across the countries was 45 out of 100. Also, the public participation score was 15 with a legislative and audit oversight score of 45 and 62.
This means the surveyed counties, generally, ranked below the average benchmark on transparency and public participation in budget processes.
When examined by countries ranking, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic had the highest score in public budget participation. On budget transparency, Georgia, New Zealand, Sweden and South Africa had the highest scores.
| Year | Transparency | Public Participation | Legislative Oversight | Audit Oversight |
| 2019 | 45 | 14 | 49 | 63 |
| 2021 | 46 | 14 | 47 | 63 |
| 2023 | 45 | 15 | 46 | 62 |
Table showing the global average score changes from OBS 2019 to OBS 2023
The report noted that since 2008, global transparency scores have increased by more than 20 per cent, and in this latest round, there was a one-point increase in the average transparency score for the same 120 countries assessed in both OBS 2021 and OBS 2023.
The ICIR reported several misappropriations contained in the 2020 Auditor General’s report published in January.
Also, several reports on The ICIR Open Contracting Reporting Project detail the mismanagement of public funds in executing projects.
Kehinde Ogunyale tells stories by using data to hold power into account. You can send him a mail at [email protected] (jameskennyogunyale@gmail) or Twitter: Prof_KennyJames