By Vivian Emoni
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BudgIT Foundation, to strengthen fiscal transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in public finance management system.
Mr Victor Muruako, Executive Chairman of the commission, at the signing ceremony of the MoU on Thursday in Abuja, said the agreement represented a strategic step toward strengthening collaboration between the FRC and BudgIT.
He added that the MoU also represented the commission and the BudgIT in the areas of fiscal oversight, citizen engagement, and institutional capacity building.
According to him, the agreement aligns with the commission’s broader reform agenda to promote fiscal discipline across all tiers of government.
“This collaboration is designed to enhance transparency, improve public participation in fiscal processes, and reinforce accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public finance management system,” he said.
Muruako also reiterated the need for legislative amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enhance the commission’s enforcement authority.
He called for improved staff welfare and remuneration to enable personnel to deliver optimally in service to the nation.
“The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a structured framework for cooperation between the two institutions in the following areas, Civic Technology Integration.
“Also, employment of BudgIT’s transparency platforms, including Tracka and the BudgIT Budget App, to support fiscal monitoring and citizen feedback.
“Others are, data Sharing and Research Support: Provision of fiscal-related data (subject to legal constraints) and collaborative policy analysis.
“Joint sensitisation campaigns, town hall meetings, and community dialogues.
Capacity Building: Training programs for FRC staff, journalists, youth groups, and civil society actors, among others.
The chairman said that the MoU also contained provisions on confidentiality, dispute resolution, anti-corruption compliance, non-exclusivity, and termination procedures.
He said by combining statutory oversight functions with data-driven citizen engagement tools, the collaboration was expected to enhance transparency, improve monitoring of public resources, and support ongoing fiscal governance reforms.
He noted that the partnership signaled a growing synergy between regulatory institutions and civic technology organisations in Nigeria’s accountability landscape.
Dr Emmanuel Uche, Project and Component Manager for Anti-Corruption under the EU Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, commended the chairman for bringing renewed “fiscal responsibility energy” to the leadership and management of the FRC.
Uche noted that while the commission was established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 to check fiscal recklessness and ensure prudent management of public resources, certain structural limitations have constrained its enforcement capacity.
He described the need to amend the Act to strengthen the commission’s powers, particularly in sanctioning fiscal offenders.
“An important commission set up to check fiscal rascality must not be weakened by legislative gaps.
“The National Assembly should consider amendments that will empower the commission to effectively discharge its mandate,” he said.
Uche added that strengthening the FRC would significantly enhance Nigeria’s fiscal governance architecture and reinforce anti-corruption efforts nationwide.
Speaking, the Deputy Director of the BudgIT Foundation, Mr Vahyala Kwaga, praised the commission’s recent performance.
He added that its outputs had become increasingly visible and impactful under the current leadership.
He described Muruako as a reform-oriented leader committed to advancing fiscal discipline and public accountability.
“The commission’s work today is visible, measurable, and impactful. This partnership will further amplify transparency initiatives and deepen collaboration between government and civil society,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannewd.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
