Umar, Elems MahmoudAliegba, Becky AdeShehu, Ibrahim Yakubu2023-12-112023-12-112020-07-05Gupta, S.C. (2013). Fundamentals of Statistics, Mumbai, Hinaloya Publishing House PVT Ltd. Jhingan, M.L. (1997). The Economics of Development and Planning, 38th Ed, Delhi, Vrinda Publication (p) Ltd. Kuznet, S. (1971). “Modern Economic Growth: Findings and Reflections”, American Economic Review, 3, June. Nelson, R. (2012). “A Theory of the Low Level Equilibrium Trap in Underdeveloped Economics”, The American Economics Review. Nwabbueze, P.B.C (1999). “Budget Preparation, Monitoring and Appraisal”, Paper Presented to Members, Enugu State House of Assembly, Enugu, June 21. Obansa, S.A.J. & Ikechukwu, I.A. (2000). “The Impact of National Budget on Economic Growth: The Nigerian Experience”, Journal of Economics & Allied Fields, Vol. 1, No.1. Riggs, F.W. (1961). The Ecology of Public Administration, Bombay, Asia Publishing Househttps://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/2329The needed theoretical impetus for leapfrogging the economies of poor countries, Nigeria inclusive, over underdevelopment was provided by Professor Paul N. Rodestein-Rodan‟s “Big-Push” Theory in 1943. The cardinal thesis of the Theory is that, in contradistinction to “bit-by-bit” approach, massive capital investment in social and economic infrastructure is required to give an underdeveloped economy a “big-push” out of the doldrums. Evidence from the legion of theoretical literature and occasional commentaries supports the ineluctability of the critical and frontline role of Government in achieving the Herculean task. Unfortunately however, Government‟s attitude in Nigeria has smacked of incuriousity and exacerbated the situation, through derisory budgetary appropriation for capital expenditure. The key objective of this study therefore is to examine the nature, causes and implications of the observed Government‟s “antigrowth attitude”. In the theoretical framework comprising of an admixture of “Big-Push” theory and Structural-Functionalism, content analysis and primary survey provide the research design; while Chi-square statistical tool was employed in examining the discrepancy between the observed and expected capital appropriations by the Federal Government of Nigeria during the study period, 2006-2019. The findings of the study largely support the priori expectation of a significant discrepancy. Accordingly, it is recommended that Government should re-prioritise huge capital investment, by appropriating a minimum of 60 per cent of annual total budgetary expenditure for capital or investment, an improvement over the 40 per cent benchmark prescribed by Rodestein-Rodan in the Big-Push Theory, adjusting for “time effectenBig-Push, Underdeveloped Economy, Capital Expenditure, Recurrent Expenditure, Budgetary Allocation, DiscrepancyArticle