Breaking News: NASS, BudgIT Disagree Over N6.93trn Projects in 2025 Budget

The National Assembly and civic organisation BudgIT have clashed over the alleged insertion of 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 budget.

BudgIT accused lawmakers of padding the Appropriation Bill with projects that do not align with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025) and national priorities. However, both the Senate and the House of Representatives dismissed the allegations, reaffirming their constitutional authority to amend the budget.

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BudgIT’s Allegations

In a statement, BudgIT claimed that the budget process has become “a playground for self-serving political interests,” stating:

• 238 projects worth over N5 billion each, totaling N2.29 trillion, were inserted with little justification.
• 984 projects worth N1.71 trillion and 1,119 projects between N500 million to N1 billion totaling N641.38 billion were also added.
• 3,573 projects worth N653.19 billion were assigned to federal constituencies.
• 1,972 projects worth N444.04 billion were assigned to senatorial districts.

Examples of questionable insertions include:

• 1,477 street light projects worth N393.29 billion
• 538 boreholes totaling N114.53 billion
• 2,122 ICT projects valued at N505.79 billion
• N6.74 billion for the “empowerment of traditional rulers”

BudgIT also highlighted that:

• 39% of all insertions (N1.72 trillion) were added to the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget.
• The Ministries of Science & Technology and Budget & Economic Planning received inflated allocations due to insertions.
• Agencies like the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (Lagos) and the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, were misused as project dumping grounds.

BudgIT decried the silence of the Presidency on the issue and called for greater transparency and reforms.

“The insertion of over 11,000 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 budget is not just alarming, it is an assault on fiscal responsibility,” said Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director.

BudgIT urged President Tinubu to reform the budgeting process and called on the Attorney-General to seek a constitutional interpretation of the National Assembly’s powers. The organisation also appealed to anti-corruption agencies and the public to demand accountability.

National Assembly’s Response

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Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chair of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, dismissed the allegations as “spurious,” claiming that the 2025 Appropriation Bill was passed based on the executive’s original figures.

He accused critics of trying to stir disaffection against the National Assembly, stating: “The dark angels of falsehood and public discord are only interested in stirring disaffection.”

Reps Reaffirm Powers

Deputy Chair of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, Clement Jimbo, also defended the National Assembly, saying the legislature has constitutional powers to amend and modify the budget.

“The budget the Presidency sends is an estimate. We have the power to change it. That power is the exclusive right of the National Assembly,” Jimbo stated.

He added that nearly 200 committees reviewed the budget in a rigorous process known as “budget defence” and that no single lawmaker could unilaterally divert funds.

Jimbo concluded by stating that the allegations of budget padding were “false to the extent of irresponsibility.”

Conclusion

The budget controversy has sparked calls for transparency, legal clarification, and reform to ensure that Nigeria’s budget truly reflects national development priorities and serves the interest of its citizens.