‘How Fed Govt can unlock N43tr to bridge deficit’

Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba, has advised the federal government to make use of its dormant assets to bridge funding gap.

Against the background of 2026 budget proposal of N58.18 trillion, with capital expenditure of N26.08 trillion, Teriba cautioned that excessive borrowing to finance the budget could strain fiscal stability.

He said that t dormant government assets valued at over N43 trillion could be unlocked to bridge the funding gap.

Teriba made the call while speaking at the Nigerian Economic Review and Recommendations for 2026 organised by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

He said stockbrokers are well placed to structure investment instruments capable of creating liquidity from government-owned assets.

He cited examples from Saudi Arabia, Brazil and India, where governments fund infrastructure by selling or securitising state assets through capital markets.

He urged the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to publish a comprehensive register of public assets, allowing private investors to identify, securitise and list viable assets on the stock exchange.

“Capital projects should not be tied solely to current revenue. They should be structured to fund themselves,” Teriba said.

On fiscal policy, Teriba expressed caution on personal income taxation, noting that while transaction-based taxes may be appropriate, the economy is still in recovery mode and requires supportive measures.

Chief Economist, United Capital, Mr Ayodele Akinwunmi, identified manufacturing, trade, logistics, real estate, telecommunications, banking, mining and solid minerals as sectors with strong growth prospects in 2026.

He said Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio of 39 per cent was not alarming but agreed that deeper private sector participation in government assets was necessary.

President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Oluropo Dada, said the forum was organised to enhance accountability, showcase institutional achievements, align CIS strategies with national economic objectives and set a clear direction for 2026.

According to him, throughout 2025, CIS hosted a series of high-impact economic, professional and policy-focused engagements aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem.

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