As Nigeria prepares to roll out its 2026 national budget, the Federal Government is turning to the sale and privatisation of national assets to address a widening fiscal gap. With projected revenues far below planned expenditure, policymakers are exploring alternative funding sources to support public services and capital projects.
At the centre of this strategy is a target to generate ₦189.16 billion in 2026 through asset disposals, a figure modest compared to the ₦58.47 trillion total expenditure plan but symbolic of a shift in fiscal approach. The move is intended to reduce reliance on borrowing and signal a willingness to rethink how public funds are mobilised.
Brandspur Notes show that the 2026 Appropriation Bill projects total revenue and inflows of ₦33.20 trillion, leaving a ₦25.27 trillion deficit. This shortfall is expected to be addressed through a combination of asset sales, debt financing, and external project loans. Analysts note that without structural reforms to increase non-oil revenue streams, such as taxes and digital levies, Nigeria will continue to face fiscal pressures despite asset monetisation efforts.
The government’s portfolio spans oil and gas, transport, agriculture, and industrial enterprises, sectors historically central to economic growth but now eyed for private sector investment. In 2025, authorities confirmed plans to privatise 91 federal assets, including refineries, depots, agricultural firms, and aviation services, with the aim of boosting efficiency and attracting new capital.
While critics argue that asset sales alone cannot meet Nigeria’s expanding fiscal obligations, officials maintain that monetising national assets is a necessary step to supplement revenue, reduce borrowing, and maintain public service delivery. This approach represents a significant shift from past budgets, where asset disposals were largely peripheral rather than central to financing strategies.
The inclusion of asset sales in the 2026 budget reflects the government’s broader effort to balance ambitious spending with sustainable funding mechanisms. Lawmakers and citizens alike are watching closely, as how these plans are executed could influence infrastructure development, healthcare provision, education, and employment opportunities nationwide.
