The National Assembly appears set to increase the proposed ₦47.94 trillion budget for 2025, following widespread appeals from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during budget defence sessions.
Lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the allocations provided by the Presidency, citing inadequate funding across various sectors.
Over recent days, the Assembly has been a hub of activity as ministers and agency heads voiced concerns over insufficient funding.
Starting January 9, the Minister of Environment, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, called for an increased budget to help his ministry achieve its objectives. The Environment Ministry, allocated ₦64.25 billion, sought additional funds for its agencies, including the National Park Service, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, highlighted funding as a persistent challenge, while Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service, requested ₦5.01 billion to combat insecurity and illegal mining. Similarly, Zacharia Yaduma, Director-General of the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), lamented delays in fund disbursement and sought increased allocations.
The Ministry of Defence also raised concerns, with the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, requesting an additional ₦20 billion to compensate families of fallen military personnel. Matawalle emphasized the ministry’s inability to meet security demands with its current ₦50.44 billion allocation.
During a session, the House Committee on Defence supported the request, with Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese commending military efforts and advocating for increased funding.
Other MDAs also presented similar appeals. The Nigerian Correctional Service Acting Comptroller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, sought to boost its ₦13.4 billion capital budget to ₦70.4 billion for improved security technology and infrastructure. Likewise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected its ₦40 billion allocation, proposing ₦126 billion instead for election preparations. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, underscored the financial burden of elections in Nigeria.
The newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development described its ₦20.8 billion allocation as inadequate, with lawmakers urging the ministry to prepare a supplementary budget. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation called for an increase in its ₦8.7 billion allocation, criticizing the lack of funds for effective information dissemination.
Similarly, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs denounced the ₦286 million budgeted for Nigeria’s 109 missions abroad as grossly inadequate. Chairman Hon. Wole Oke criticized the government’s envelope budgeting system, stating it lacked legal basis and failed to meet the needs of the missions.
Lawmakers Assert Budgetary Powers
A senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations confirmed to Leadership that the National Assembly has the authority to adjust the proposed budget, signaling an imminent upward review.
According to the lawmaker, the requests presented during budget defence sessions were deemed genuine and necessary.
With reports from various standing committees, adjustments to the budget are expected to reflect the financial needs outlined by MDAs. Official statements from the House spokesperson and his deputy were pending at the time of this report.
Source: Naija News
