UNICEF Consultant Commends Otti’s Administration for Transparency in Abia’s Budgeting System

The Lead Consultant for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Programme-Based Budgeting in Abia State, Prof. Frances Obafemi, has described the administration of Governor Alex Otti as one of the most transparent in Nigeria’s public finance system.

Speaking during a five-day workshop on Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria, organized by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF in Umuahia, Prof. Obafemi praised the state government for embracing openness in its budgeting process and showing readiness to improve further.

“The government of Abia State has continued to operate a transparent budgetary system and is willing to improve on it,” Prof. Obafemi said. “The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike’s passion for ensuring transparency in budgeting is evident in the way the ministry is collaborating with the EU and UNICEF to strengthen the system.”

The workshop, which is part of an ongoing EU-UNICEF initiative, focuses on building the capacity of state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to adopt programme-based budgeting. This approach links financial allocations to measurable outcomes rather than generic spending.

Prof. Obafemi, a Professor of Economics from the University of Calabar, explained that the project is being executed in stages. The first phase on Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) was concluded in Aba in September 2025, while the current session in Umuahia focuses on Medium-Term Sectoral Strategy (MTSS) across four focal sectors — Health, Education, Poverty and Social Protection, and Planning.

“What UNICEF is doing in Abia, with EU sponsorship, is to improve the capacity of personnel in these ministries to prepare programme-based budgets,” she said. “This will ensure that resources are properly aligned with the government’s development priorities.”

She noted that Abia’s enthusiastic participation demonstrates its commitment to good governance and accountability. “Governor Otti’s leadership and Mr. Anosike’s commitment are exemplary. Their efforts to institutionalize transparency are laudable,” Prof. Obafemi added.

The Social Policy Officer of UNICEF, Enugu Office, Dr. Victor Chima, also commended Abia State for its cooperation in implementing the EU-UNICEF budget transparency project.

He said the programme, funded by the European Union through UNICEF, aims to strengthen social protection systems and ensure state budgets reflect actual developmental priorities.

“Previously, states budgeted based on perceived needs, but with UNICEF’s intervention, budgeting is now more strategic and evidence-based,” Dr. Chima explained. “Abia State has been remarkable in this process. The government’s support and participation have helped drive our objectives.”

Dr. Chima added that the project runs from 2025 to 2027 and covers ten states across Nigeria. The goal, he said, is to promote accountability, improve fiscal discipline, and ensure that every budget line directly supports the well-being of citizens, especially in the social sector.

Observers at the workshop agreed that Abia’s partnership with UNICEF and the EU marks a turning point in the state’s governance culture. With the shift to programme-based budgeting, Abia is expected to achieve better fiscal efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen public trust in government spending.

The workshop continues through the week with technical sessions and policy design activities for state officials, setting a strong foundation for the 2026 fiscal year.