The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation has announced that budget defence sessions for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will commence  today, January 7.

Abubakar Bichi, chairman of the committee, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. The announcement follows President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the proposed 2025 budget of ₦49.7 trillion to the National Assembly on December 18.

Tinubu described the budget, tagged the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” as central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The president highlighted its focus on stabilising the economy, improving citizens’ lives, and advancing national development.

On December 19, the appropriation bill passed its second reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

After a strategy meeting with committee members, Bichi confirmed that the MDAs’ budget defence will conclude on January 17, with a final report to be presented to the House on January 31.

“We just had an integration meeting today for the 2025 appropriation bill. The president has presented the budget, and from tomorrow, all MDAs will begin their defence sessions,” Bichi said.

He further explained that the defence period will run until January 17, with harmonisation expected to take place by January 22.

Bichi expressed confidence that the budget, designed for infrastructure and other developmental priorities, would positively impact Nigerians.