The National Assembly appears poised to increase the proposed ₦47.94 trillion budget for 2025 following persistent appeals from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during budget defense sessions.
As reported by Plateau News, lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the current allocations set by the Presidency, citing inadequate funding across multiple sectors. In recent days, the Assembly has been bustling with activity as ministers and agency heads raised concerns about insufficient financial provisions.
Starting January 9, the Minister of Environment, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, urged lawmakers to boost his ministry’s budget allocation of ₦64.25 billion to better support its goals.
Lawal called for additional funding for critical agencies under the ministry, including the National Park Service, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, identified limited funding as a persistent obstacle. Similarly, Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service, requested ₦5.01 billion to address insecurity and illegal mining activities, while Zacharia Yaduma, Director-General of the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), cited delayed fund disbursements as a key challenge and requested increased allocations.
The Ministry of Defence also made a strong case for additional funding. Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, appealed for an extra ₦20 billion to support the families of fallen military personnel, arguing that the current ₦50.44 billion allocation is insufficient to meet security needs.
The House Committee on Defence backed this appeal, with Deputy House Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese praising military efforts and stressing the importance of adequate funding.
Other MDAs joined the call for increased budgets. Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, requested an increase in its ₦13.4 billion capital budget to ₦70.4 billion to enhance security technology and infrastructure.
Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected its ₦40 billion allocation, proposing ₦126 billion to cover the financial demands of upcoming elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized the high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria.
The newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development described its ₦20.8 billion allocation as inadequate, prompting lawmakers to recommend a supplementary budget.
The Ministry of Information and National Orientation also criticized its ₦8.7 billion allocation, arguing that the lack of funding impedes effective public information campaigns.
Additionally, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs criticized the ₦286 million allocated for Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions as grossly insufficient. Committee Chairman Hon. Wole Oke condemned the government’s envelope budgeting system, arguing that it lacks a legal framework and fails to address the unique needs of Nigeria’s foreign missions.
A senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations confirmed to Leadership that the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to adjust the proposed budget, signaling an imminent upward review.
The lawmaker noted that the appeals made during budget defense sessions were considered valid and necessary.
Based on reports submitted by various standing committees, the National Assembly is expected to adjust the budget to reflect the financial needs outlined by the MDAs.
At the time of this report, official statements from the House spokesperson and his deputy were still awaited.