National Assembly and BudgIT Clash Over N6.93 Trillion Project Insertions in 2025 Budget

A significant dispute has emerged between Nigeria’s National Assembly and the civic organization BudgIT regarding the 2025 federal budget. BudgIT alleges that lawmakers have inserted 11,122 projects totaling N6.93 trillion into the budget, projects which purportedly do not align with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025) or other national priorities.

In response, both chambers of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives—have denied these allegations, asserting their constitutional authority to amend the budget.

BudgIT, an organization dedicated to promoting transparency in public finance, contends that these insertions represent a deepening culture of exploitation within the budget process. They highlight that 238 projects, each valued above N5 billion and totaling N2.29 trillion, were added without sufficient justification. Additionally, 984 projects worth N1.71 trillion and 1,119 projects ranging from N500 million to N1 billion, totaling N641.38 billion, were indiscriminately included, raising concerns about their relevance to national priorities.

Further analysis by BudgIT reveals that 3,573 projects worth N653.19 billion are designated for federal constituencies, while 1,972 projects worth N444.04 billion are allocated to senatorial districts. Notable anomalies include 1,477 street light projects valued at N393.29 billion, 538 boreholes totaling N114.53 billion, 2,122 ICT projects worth N505.79 billion, and N6.74 billion earmarked for the empowerment of traditional rulers.

A particularly concerning aspect is that 39% of all insertions, amounting to 4,371 projects worth N1.72 trillion, were added to the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget, inflating its capital allocation from N242.5 billion to N1.95 trillion. Similarly, the Ministries of Science and Technology, and Budget and Economic Planning saw their allocations increase by N994.98 billion and N1.1 trillion, respectively, due to these insertions.

BudgIT also points to the misuse of agencies like the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (Lagos) and the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, which have been assigned projects beyond their technical capacities. For instance, the Federal Cooperative College, primarily a training institution, has been allocated N3 billion for utility vehicles to support farmers and distribution agents, N1.5 billion for rural electrification in Rivers State, and N1 billion for solar street lights in Enugu State.

Despite these findings, the Presidency has remained silent. BudgIT had previously launched the “The Budget is a Mess” campaign in late 2024 to highlight such issues and submitted formal letters to the Presidency, the Budget Office, and the National Assembly. However, no responses have been received, and no institution has taken responsibility for the anomalies.

Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director, emphasizes the urgent need to restore integrity to Nigeria’s budgeting process. He criticizes the unchecked project insertions by the National Assembly, stating that they derail national planning, weaken public trust, and divert resources from critical development priorities.

Okeowo calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise stronger executive leadership and reform the budgeting process to ensure alignment with national development plans. He also urges the Attorney-General to seek a constitutional interpretation from the Supreme Court regarding the National Assembly’s appropriation powers and calls on anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC to track these projects to ensure value for money.

In defense, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, asserts that the 2025 Appropriation Bill was presented by the executive, thoroughly reviewed, and passed based on the exact amount presented. He dismisses the allegations as falsehoods aimed at stirring public disaffection against the National Assembly.

Similarly, Clement Jimbo, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, refutes the claims of budget padding, describing them as completely false and rooted in ignorance of the legislature’s constitutional responsibilities. He emphasizes that the National Assembly has the authority to review, amend, and approve the national budget, ensuring it reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.

Jimbo explains that the budget undergoes scrutiny by nearly 200 specialized committees in the House of Representatives, each interfacing with corresponding government ministries, departments, and agencies. He clarifies that individual lawmakers cannot unilaterally divert funds to favored regions or interests, and any such claims are misleading and factually incorrect.

The lawmaker concludes by reiterating that the recent reports alleging budget padding by the National Assembly are false and calls for greater public understanding of the legislative process.