By Bayero Ade
The National Assembly is poised to revise the proposed ₦47.94 trillion budget for 2025 after numerous Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) flagged funding inadequacies during budget defence sessions.
Lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the current budget allocations from the Presidency, citing the underfunding of critical sectors. Over recent days, ministers and agency heads have voiced concerns about insufficient funding, underscoring the need for adjustments.
On 9 January, the Minister of Environment, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, called for an increase to his ministry’s ₦64.25 billion allocation. He also sought additional funding for key agencies under his purview, such as the National Park Service, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari, highlighted that these funding issues have been longstanding.
Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service, sought ₦5.01 billion to address challenges related to security and illegal mining. Similarly, Zacharia Yaduma, Director-General of the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), requested an increase in allocations due to delays in fund disbursements.
The Ministry of Defence has also made its case for additional funds. Dr Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, appealed for an extra ₦20 billion to support the families of fallen soldiers, stressing that the current ₦50.44 billion allocation falls short of the country’s security demands. The House Committee on Defence backed this appeal, with Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese highlighting the need for stronger financial backing for the military.
Other MDAs have similarly presented funding requests. Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, proposed increasing the capital budget from ₦13.4 billion to ₦70.4 billion for enhanced security technology and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) described its ₦40 billion allocation as insufficient and proposed ₦126 billion to cover election-related expenses. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, noted the financial strain of organising elections in Nigeria.
The newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development expressed dissatisfaction with its ₦20.8 billion allocation, prompting lawmakers to recommend a supplementary proposal. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation also criticised its ₦8.7 billion allocation, deeming it inadequate for effective public information campaigns.
Concerns were raised by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs over the ₦286 million allocated for Nigeria’s 109 diplomatic missions, describing it as grossly inadequate. Committee Chairman Hon. Wole Oke condemned the envelope budgeting system, arguing it is impractical for addressing the needs of foreign missions.
A senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations indicated that the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to adjust the budget, confirming that an upward review is likely. The lawmaker acknowledged the legitimacy of the funding requests made during the defence sessions.
Adjustments to the proposed budget will be guided by reports from various committees, with official responses from House leaders still awaited.
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