The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is yet to complete a key stage of its long-awaited revenue allocation formula review, despite earlier plans to conclude the process by the end of 2025.
The commission is still conducting data verification exercises in three geopolitical zones. The exercise is considered a critical component of the review process.
Last week, RMAFC officials arrived in Abia State to begin stakeholder engagements and data verification in the Southeast. The commission had earlier completed similar exercises in 18 states across three geopolitical zones.
The review is aimed at updating the indices used to distribute revenue among the federal, state and local governments. Nigeria’s current revenue-sharing template has remained unchanged since 1992.
Stakeholders have repeatedly called for a more realistic formula that reflects the country’s changing political and economic realities. They argue that significant developments over the past three decades have made the existing structure outdated.
One major concern is that six additional states have been created since the last review was conducted. However, the current allocation formula has yet to fully reflect those changes.
In August 2025, the RMAFC announced plans to review the revenue-sharing formula and projected that the exercise would be completed before the end of the year. That timeline has now slipped as the commission continues its verification work across the remaining zones.
The delay has sparked concerns among stakeholders who fear that the review process may not be completed under the current administration if progress remains slow.
Experts say a revised formula could help address emerging fiscal realities and ensure a more equitable distribution of national revenue among the three tiers of government.
As the verification exercise continues, attention remains focused on whether the commission can complete the review and submit its recommendations within a reasonable timeframe.
