By Adedapo Adesanya
The three tiers of government – Federal, State and Local governments – shared the total N10.143 trillion from the Federation Account as statutory revenue allocations in 2023, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) FAAC review report has shown.
According to the report released on Tuesday, the N10.143 trillion disbursements made in 2023 were 23.6 per cent or N1.934 trillion higher than the N8.209 trillion allocated in 2022.
A breakdown of the revenue receipts showed that the federal government received N3.99 trillion, representing 39.37 per cent of the total allocation. N3.585 trillion representing 35.34 per cent was shared among the 36 states while the 774 local government councils of the federation shared 2.56 trillion equivalent to 25.28 percent in the period.
According to the report, “the first quarter of 2023 increased by N579.71 billion (33.19 per cent) when compared to the first quarter of 2022. The second quarter increased by 10.32 per cent, the third quarter by 27.49 per cent and the fourth quarter had an increase of 23.42 per cent respectively.
“The federal government’s share increased by N574.21 billion (16.79 per cent) from the N3.42 trillion it received in 2022 to N3.99 trillion in 2023. The State governments shared N3.59 trillion in 2023 compared to the N2.76 trillion they got in 2022, showing an increase of 29.99 per cent. Similarly, local government councils’ share of federation allocation was N2.57 trillion in 2023 compared to N2.032 trillion in 2023 which amounts to a 26.22 per cent increase.
“While total distributed revenue from the Federation Account recorded an overall increase of 23.56 per cent in 2023, the increase accruing to each tier of government varied, largely due to the type of revenue item contributing to the inflows into the Federation Account.
“In the same period (2023), states and local governments recorded increases in their allocations of 29.99 per cent and 26.22 per cent, respectively. The increase in allocation to the federal government, however, was 16.79 per cent.”
The report also noted that while total revenues distributed from the Federation Account recorded an overall increase of 23.56 per cent in 2023, the increase accruing to each tier of government varied, largely due to the type of revenue streams contributing to the inflows into the Federation Account.
State-by-state share of the allocations showed that Delta State received the largest share of N402.26 billion (gross). The figure includes the state’s share of oil and gas derivation revenue. Delta was followed by Rivers State which received N398.53 billion while Akwa-Ibom State received the third largest allocation of N293.58 billion.
On the share of derivation revenue, nine states received the 13 per cent allocated to mineral-producing states from the proceeds from mineral revenue.
Commenting on the report, Mr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, attributed the increase to improved revenue remittances to the Federation Account due to the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the exchange rate by the new administration.
He explained that the agency embarked on the NEITI FAAC Quarterly Review to enhance public understanding of Federation Account allocations and disbursements as published by the government.
He said, “The ultimate objective of this disclosure is to strengthen knowledge, and awareness and promote public accountability of all institutions in public finance management.
“The government (the National Assembly and the Executive) should adopt more conservative estimates for crude oil prices and output to enhance budgetary performance, reduce budget deficits and borrowing and strengthen fiscal stabilization.”
“NEITI’s FAAC Quarterly Reviews also underlined the need for States to join hands with the federal government to deal with insecurity in rural communities where agro-based businesses thrive, pay attention to internally generated revenues through innovations and leadership that are citizen-centred.”
