National Assembly Unveils Plans To Upscale 2025 Budget For Sustainable Development

The National Assembly is poised to increase the proposed ₦47.94 trillion budget for 2025, as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) continue to call for higher allocations during budget defence sessions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the Presidency’s current allocations, citing inadequate funding across key sectors.

In recent days, the Assembly has been actively engaged as ministers and agency heads raised concerns about insufficient financial support.

Since January 9, the Minister of Environment, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, has advocated for an increased budget to enable his ministry to meet its objectives. The Environment Ministry, with an allocation of ₦64.25 billion, seeks additional funds for its agencies, including the National Park Service, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, pointed out funding as a longstanding challenge, while Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service, requested ₦5.01 billion to address insecurity and illegal mining. Similarly, Zacharia Yaduma, Director-General of the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), voiced concerns over delays in fund disbursement and called for increased allocations.

The Ministry of Defence also highlighted its concerns, with the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, seeking an additional ₦20 billion to support families of fallen military personnel. Matawalle emphasized that the current ₦50.44 billion allocation is insufficient to meet security demands.

During a session, the House Committee on Defence supported the request, with Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese praising the military’s efforts and advocating for increased funding.

Other MDAs echoed similar appeals. The Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, requested an increase in its ₦13.4 billion capital budget to ₦70.4 billion for enhanced security technology and infrastructure. Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected its ₦40 billion allocation, proposing ₦126 billion instead for election preparations. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, highlighted the financial challenges associated with elections in Nigeria.