BudgIT Raises Concerns Over Irregularities In 2025 Budget

…Demand Strict Review By National Assembly

Civic-tech organization BudgIT has expressed concerns over irregularities in the 2025 Federal Government Proposed Budget, calling on the National Assembly to adopt a patriotic, prudent, and inclusive approach to its review.

The organization emphasized the importance of aligning the budget with the economic and social priorities of Nigerians, particularly in fostering job creation, poverty alleviation, and inclusive economic growth.

In its review, BudgIT highlighted persistent issues with Nigeria’s budgeting process, particularly unrealistic macroeconomic assumptions that undermine fiscal stability.

For instance, the government’s inflation projection of 15 per cent for the 2025 fiscal year was deemed overly optimistic, given that inflation stood at 34.6 per cent in November 2024.

BudgIT attributed the high inflation rate to unresolved challenges such as rising food and energy prices.

The group noted that while the oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel aligns with global forecasts, the National Assembly should resist increasing this figure to create fiscal space for additional budgetary insertions, a trend that has been observed in prior budget cycles.

BudgIT also pointed to a history of budgetary insertions by the National Assembly that deviate from the federal government’s constitutional mandate and priorities. Over the years, the number of such insertions has steadily increased, reaching 7,447 in the 2024 budget, amounting to N2.24trn.

The organization criticized these insertions for their lack of proper design and feasibility, which it said undermines the efficiency of government spending.

The group raised additional transparency concerns regarding the omission of budget breakdowns for several key entities, including the National Judicial Council (N341.63bn) and TETFUND (N940.5bn).

Budgets for over 60 government-owned enterprises, such as the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), were also absent from the proposed budget.

BudgIT further highlighted the allocation of N2.49trn under personnel costs for five regional development commissions, noting that this obscures the operational expenses of these commissions.

For comparison, the Ministry of Interior, which oversees critical agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Fire Service, has a significantly lower allocation of N648.84bn for personnel and overhead costs.

One notable omission in the proposed budget was funding for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, a vital infrastructure project. BudgIT warned that any future funding for this project might require reallocating resources from other critical initiatives, potentially undermining the budget’s credibility.

The organization also questioned recent announcements by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding retirement packages for military generals, which include bulletproof SUVs and foreign medical trips.

BudgIT described these provisions as inconsistent with the President’s earlier commitment to reducing governance costs and cautioned that such measures could demoralize lower-ranking personnel who lack adequate welfare benefits.

As the National Assembly embarks on its review of the 2025 Proposed Budget, BudgIT appealed to lawmakers to prioritize the national interest over personal considerations.

The group urged them to ensure that the final budget fosters economic stability, reduces poverty and inequality, and benefits Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

BudgIT Raises Concerns Over Irregularities In 2025 Budget is first published on The Whistler Newspaper