BudgIT, a civic-tech organization committed to promoting transparency and accountability in governance, has raised significant concerns about legacy issues in the 2025 Federal Government Budget under President Bola Tinubu. The organization has called on the National Assembly to tackle these irregularities, exercise its “Powers of the Purse” responsibly, and ensure public participation throughout the budget review process.
Nancy Odimegwu, BudgIT’s Communications Associate, highlighted that past budget performances have shown consistent discrepancies between the government’s projections and actual outcomes, leading to fiscal risks, financing challenges, and an increase in public debt. She emphasized the need for more reliable projections and accountability in the budgeting process.
The organization also pointed out several notable omissions in the 2025 budget breakdown submitted for review, including the absence of key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) such as the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Additionally, over 60 Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs), including the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), were missing from the proposed budget, raising concerns about their funding and oversight.
BudgIT also criticized the allocation of N2.49 trillion to five regional development commissions under personnel costs. Odimegwu noted that this allocation obscures the commissions’ true operational expenses and undermines the transparency of fund utilization. She compared this with the Ministry of Interior’s relatively small allocation of N648.84 billion for personnel and overhead costs, which covers its numerous agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
The absence of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, a crucial capital-intensive initiative, from the budget also raised concerns. Odimegwu questioned whether funds for this project would be diverted from other essential programs, potentially undermining the implementation of these initiatives and affecting the overall credibility of the budget.
In addition, BudgIT criticized President Tinubu’s recent announcement regarding the retirement package for military generals, which includes benefits such as bulletproof SUVs, foreign medical treatment, and estacodes for medical trips. Odimegwu argued that these provisions contradicted the president’s earlier stance on reducing the cost of governance and welfare packages for top public officials, especially as lower-ranking military personnel continue to lack adequate health insurance and retirement benefits.
BudgIT called on the 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 senators to prioritize the national interest over personal or parochial concerns. The organization urged them to ensure that the final approved budget would stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and address the needs of vulnerable Nigerians.
