- The Nigerian National Assembly began discussions on the 2025 budget proposal of N49.7 trillion at the committee level
- An "Open Day" for public input from stakeholders and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to take place on January 9
- A final report on the budget is expected to be laid before both chambers of the National Assembly by January 31
The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives announced the commencement of discussions on the 2025 budget proposal of N49.7 trillion at the committee level and planned to present the Appropriation Bill to both chambers by January 31.
Senators Olamilekan Adeola and Abubakar Bichi, the chairpersons of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriation Committees, released the timelines and process for reviewing the budget on Monday, January 6.
Senator Adeola confirms budget defense from January 8–17
Senator Adeola said, “This (yesterday) morning, we held a meeting with all members of the Committee on Appropriation.
“I know for a fact that by the time we resume on the 14th of January, the Senate will give a two-week break so that we can do our usual ritual of consultation with the MDAs for the next two weeks and then follow up with a report.
“From tomorrow (today) to January 17, we are going to do our budget defence and we will likely harmonise on January 22 and God’s willing, by January 31, we are going to lay our reports.
“So, the 31st of January is a tentative date to guide our workings. If there is a need to extend the passage beyond the 31st of January, we will not hesitate to do that.”
Senate set January 9 for "Open Day"
As part of this process, a budget “Open Day” for input from stakeholders and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) was scheduled for Thursday, January 9.
Senator Adeola explained the importance of careful examination despite the tight schedule. He said that before meeting with the committee chairpersons, the Appropriation Committee had conducted thorough sessions to strategise the best approach for reviewing the budget.
Recall that the 2025 budget was presented by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, and passed its second reading in both chambers the following day, December 19.
Senate set January 31 for 2025 budget report submission
The committee reviews of the budget officially began on January 7, with reports expected to be submitted between January 15 and 18. The final budget report is expected to be compiled and presented to the Senate by January 31.
“This is to enable the committees to invite all the MDAs to defend whatever has been allocated to them in that document, starting with their personnel, overhead, and capital, after which, we are expecting the report back from the 15th of January to the 18th of January.
“From there, collation and tidying up of the document will commence with the Committee on Appropriation, and by 31st of January, it is expected that we should lay before the National Assembly the report of the Committee on Appropriation on the 2025 Appropriation Bill for its eventual passage by the National Assembly, that is, both chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Senator Adeola explained.
Tinubu’s 2025 Budget: At least 10 ministries get over N1 trillion each
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the budget proposal for 2025 revealed significant increases of over N1 trillion each to more than 10 ministries, with the Finance Ministry receiving the highest share.
The Power Ministry saw a 510.46% increase; reaching N2.1 trillion, N2.52 trillion for Education and N2.23 trillion for Niger Delta.