The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria did not include public expenditure amounting to approximately N8.8 trillion, or 2% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in its recent national budgets. This omission has led to a discrepancy between the reported fiscal deficit and the actual financing requirements of the country, according to the IMF's Resident Representative.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted allegations that over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the 2025 budget, asserting that all public expenditures comply with the country's constitutional and legal framework. This statement was made by Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Finance, in response to claims suggesting that approximately two percent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product was unaccounted for, according to the Daily Post.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted claims that it spent over ₦8 trillion outside the approved 2026 budget, challenging anyone who believes this to provide evidence. This statement comes in response to remarks made by IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, who indicated that approximately two percent of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside the budget in 2025.

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Lagos State has called on the Federal Government to clarify reports of alleged off-budget spending amounting to ₦8.8 trillion, as highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The party's Public Secretary, Mr. Ayodele Kazeem, emphasized that Nigerians deserve transparency regarding public expenditure in a statement released on Sunday.

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has called for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the International Monetary Fund's claim that Nigeria has spent N8.8 trillion off-budget, which he states is equivalent to 2% of the country's GDP, according to ThisDay Live.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied allegations of spending ₦8 trillion outside the 2026 budget, asserting that a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was misrepresented. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele provided clarification on the matter.