Kehinde Fajobi
BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation focused on transparency in Nigeria, has raised concerns about significant omissions and irregularities in the proposed 2025 Federal Government budget.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Communications Associate Nancy Odimegwu pointed out that key agencies, including the National Judicial Council (NJC) and TETFUND, were missing budget breakdowns.
Furthermore, budgets for government-owned enterprises like the Nigeria Ports Authority and Nigerian Customs Service were also absent from the proposal.
The organisation also highlighted the allocation of ₦2.49 trillion to regional development commissions under personnel costs, arguing that this move obscured their actual operational expenses and undermined transparency.
BudgIT also criticised the omission of funding for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, a major infrastructure initiative.
The group warned that any future funding could lead to the reallocation of resources from other vital projects, potentially damaging the credibility of the budget.
The statement read, “Also, we have observed that the 2025 proposed budget breakdown submitted to the National Assembly for review and approval and published on the Budget Office website omits the breakdown of some MDAs, commissions, and councils, such as the National Judicial Council (₦341.63bn), and TETFUND (₦940.5bn).”
In addition, BudgIT raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s recent comments on military welfare packages, which include provisions for bulletproof SUVs and foreign medical treatments for generals.
The organisation warned that these measures contradicted the president’s earlier promise to reduce the cost of governance, further straining the federal budget.
“While the Constitution grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds, it often modifies the Executive’s proposed budget to distort its original intent and disconnect it from the nation’s long-term development agenda,” the statement continued.
BudgIT urged the National Assembly to review the budget comprehensively and responsibly, ensuring public participation in the process.
The group stressed the need for the final budget to reflect the priorities of Nigerians, focusing on job creation, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic growth.
The organisation also noted that the government has faced challenges with inaccurate macroeconomic assumptions, contributing to fiscal risks and an escalating public debt.
In 2024, over 7,400 capital projects worth ₦2.24 trillion were added to the budget, raising concerns about resource efficiency and alignment with national development goals.
BudgIT called for the National Assembly to exercise its budgetary powers responsibly, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and in line with Nigeria’s long-term priorities.