NEFGAD Applauds Tinubu, National Assembly For Budget Process Reforms

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has praised President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for their efforts to overhaul the national budgeting process by eliminating the controversial practice of budget padding.

In a statement released to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, NEFGAD’s Country Head of Office, Mr. Akingunola Omoniyi, commended the administration’s commitment to adhering to constitutional guidelines.

The group had previously criticised budget padding as unconstitutional in a position paper submitted to the President and National Assembly on January 13, 2025.

NEFGAD acknowledged that while lawmakers can advocate for constituency projects, such requests should be submitted as recommendations to the President, who retains exclusive authority to initiate the budget process under Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution.

The public procurement advocacy group argued that direct insertions by the National Assembly undermine the separation of powers and constitute an overreach into executive functions.

Mr Omoniyi praised President Tinubu’s proactive approach in the 2025 budget, noting that the President raised the budget estimate by N4.5 trillion to N54.2 trillion on February 5, 2025, incorporating additional spending items himself rather than allowing legislative alterations.

“The bold and commendable effort of Mr President in raising the budget estimate and incorporating additional line items into the 2025 budget himself, devoid of direct or unilateral legislative insertions reflects his administration’s commitment to the rule of law in the budgeting process,” he said.

The advocacy group emphasised that the President’s compliance with constitutional provisions and the Public Procurement Act of 2007 will enhance fiscal discipline.

“This singular act by the President is unprecedented; it is a clear departure from unconstitutional practices of the past, where lawmakers sat in the hallowed chamber performing executive functions by altering budget items and figures without recourse to the President, who is the chief drafter and determinant of the country’s spending and procurement priorities, subject to need assessment and evaluation by procuring entities procurement planning Committees as enshrined in Sections 18 and 21 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007,” Omoniyi added.

NEFGAD urged stakeholders, including civil society and the public, to support the initiative and maintain vigilance to sustain these gains.

“As we move forward, we encourage continued vigilance and accountability in public finance management to sustain these gains. The fight against corruption and financial mismanagement must remain a top priority to ensure the nation’s prosperity and development,” the statement read.

NEFGAD Applauds Tinubu, National Assembly For Budget Process Reforms is first published on The Whistler Newspaper