Civic-tech group BudgIT has raised the alarm — and also some optimism — after revealing that Nigerian states recorded a sharp increase in fiscal surplus, rising from ₦2.8 trillion in 2023 to a massive ₦7.1 trillion in 2024.

According to BudgIT, the boost is partly due to the Federal Government’s settlement of over ₦2 trillion in outstanding capital budget arrears from the 2024 fiscal year. This injection of funds has given state governments more financial breathing space.

With this surplus, BudgIT noted that states now have greater room to invest in critical areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education, which directly affect the lives of citizens.

The group, however, stressed that this opportunity must not be wasted.

“As the focus shifts to 2025 capital releases, this momentum must be sustained,” BudgIT said in its statement.

It also urged Nigerians to actively monitor how public funds are being spent, using civic platforms like yourtracka.org and govspend.ng.

BudgIT emphasized that increased revenue should not just reflect in government figures but must translate into real development across states, local governments, and communities.

The big question now is: Will state governments turn this surplus into visible progress, or will it vanish on paper?