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  • Senate, HoR pass N54.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill

    Senate, HoR pass N54.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill

    The National Assembly on Thursday passed the N54.9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill. This followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Appropriations on the bill. The report was presented by Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun).

    Highlights of the passed 2025 appropriation bill indicates an aggregate expenditure of N54.9 trillion, statutory transfers of N3.6 trillion, with recurrent expenditure put at N13.6 trillion.

    While the sum of N23.9 trillion was earmarked for capital expenditure, debt servicing was put at N14.3 trillion, fiscal deficit N13.8 trillion, while 1.52 per cent was approved as deficit and GDP.

    Olamilekan, while presenting the report, said that the senate debated the general principles of the bill on Dec. 19, 2024.

    This, he said, had resulted in the second reading of the bill after which it was referred to his committee for further legislative action.

    The senator said that the initial proposal of the executive was N49.7 trillion.

    He, however, said while processing the bill, the joint committee on appropriations met the president’s economic team to discuss the revenue projection and expenditure of the appropriation bill.

    “After series of meetings, the Committee on Finance, in conjunction with our committee, sourced for additional revenue from some revenue-generating agencies,” he said.

    Adeola said that the additional fund was made possible because of the increase in revenue by some of the revenue-generating agencies.

    He further stated that some agencies of government provided funds to take care of critical needs.

    The lawmaker said that the upward review of the budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.9 trillion was to cater for the difference between the details and the bill, procurement of vaccines and additional funding to some government agencies.

    “The joint committee worked harmoniously with the leadership of the National Assembly and the executive arm of government in the processing of the bill.

    “This ensured maximum collaboration of the two arms in the utilisation of additional revenue projection.

    ”This is to improve the funding of some critical projects which could not be adequately funded in the budget proposal earlier submitted by Mr President due to funding constraints,” he said.

    Adeola said that the 2025 appropriation bill was presented late as against the 2024 appropriation bill.

    He urged the executive to present the budget to national assembly not later than three months before the beginning of the next financial year.

    “This will help return the country to the January-December budget circle,” he said.

    JUST IN: HoR endorses N54.99 trillion budget for 2025

    Similarly, the House of Representatives, during Thursday’s plenary session, endorsed the 2025 budget totaling N54.99 trillion.

    Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, presented the committee’s report for the House’s consideration, leading to its adoption.

    He said: “That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Appropriations a Bill for an Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N54,990,1 65,355, 396 (Fifty-Four Trillion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Billion One Hundred and Sixty-Five Million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira) only, of which N3,645,761,358,925 (Three Trillion, Six Hundred and Forty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Five Naira) only is for Statutory Transfers N14,317.142,689,548 (Fourteen Trillion, Three Hundred and Seventeen Billion, One Hundred and Forty-Two Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty-Eight Naira) only is for Debt Service, N13,064,009,682,673 (Thirteen Trillion, Sixty-Four Billion, Nine Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Three Naira) only is for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure while the sum of N23,963, 251,624,250 (Twenty-Three Trillion, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Three Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-One Million, Six Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira) only is for contribution to the |Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the 31 December, 2025 (HB. 2021) and approve recommendations therein”.

    On December 18, 2024, the House received the committee’s report on the 2025 Appropriation Bill. The following day, December 19, 2024, lawmakers conducted a clause-by-clause review of the bill, which contains 12 clauses, outlined as follows:

    Embassies shall constitute their Tender Board as in a Parastatal’s Tenders Board (PTB) within the requisite threshold in compliance with the extant Executive Circular and the Provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

    “11. Detailed estimate: The detailed estimates of expenditure are set out in the Second Schedule to this Bill.

    “12. Expiry Constitution, 1999: In line with the provisions of section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Bill expires after 12 months, starting from 1st day of January to 31st day of December, 2025 when asented to.

    “Short Title: This Bill may be cited as the Appropriation Bill, 2025”.

    The House convened in the Committee of Supply, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas overseeing the review of budgetary allocations.

    During deliberations, Rep. Chinedu Ogar noted the absence of funding for light rail projects in the South East. In response, the Speaker assured that the matter would be brought to the President’s attention and could be addressed through a supplementary budget.

    The estimates of expenditure are set out in the Second Schedule to this Bill.

    “12. Expiry Constitution, 1999: In line with the provisions of section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Bill expires after 12 months, starting from 1st day of January to 31st day of December, 2025 when assented to..

    “Short Title: This Bill may be cited as the Appropriation Bill, 2025”.

    The House convened in the Committee of Supply, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas overseeing the review of budgetary allocations.

    During deliberations, Rep. Chinedu Ogar noted the absence of funding for light rail projects in the South East. In response, the Speaker assured that the matter would be brought to the President’s attention and could be addressed through a supplementary budget.

    Following this, the House resumed plenary, where Majority Leader Rep. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the adoption of the report as a working document. The motion received unanimous approval, leading to the final reading and passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

  • Senate advises FG to fix roads, include North East in Super Highway Projects

    Senate advises FG to fix roads, include North East in Super Highway Projects

    The Senate Thursday advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to include North East in the Super Highway projects just as it commended President Bola Tinubu for the N4.2trilion coastal roads projects.

    Senate’s call for inclusion of North East in its Super Highway projects , followed a motion moved to that effect by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje ( APC Gombe Central) .

    Senator Goje in the motion entitled : Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2trillion for Construction of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide “, lamented that out of the N4.2trillion road projects only N19billion for for rehabilitation of two out many others in the North East , was allocated to the Zone .

    “It is imperative to note that in this laudable project, the North – East has only two projects, that is, Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 Billion); and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 Billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 Trillion Naira.

    “Apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.

    ” The North – East is the only Zone that is not connected to the SUPER HIGHWAY PROJECT, embarked upon by this administration”, he said .

    He however commended President Tinubu for the Super Highway projects which according to him , are to ensure connectivity by improving road safety with the aim of harnessing the viability of resources that abound across the length and breadth of this country, with a view to stimulating economic growth and development but stressed that the North East should be included .

    In nationalising the issue , the Senate amended Senator Goje’s second prayer from Urging the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of the listed deplorable roads in the North – East to urging the Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the Country .

    During contributions to debate on the motion , many of the Senators who spoke , commended Goje for the motion but also listed series of federal roads in their various constituencies begging for urgent attention in terms of rehabilitation and even re – construction .

    The President of the Senate in his remarks , Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio said until Nigeria has a serious road map for constant rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country , issue of road deplorability in Nigeria will remain .

    He added that if previous administrations in the country had taken bold steps being taken by the Tinubu administration now , the problem wouldn’t have been gargantuan as they are now , as far as deplorable roads in Nigeria are concerned.

  • Senate to receive 2025 budget report for final consideration

    Senate to receive 2025 budget report for final consideration

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has announced that the budget defense report for the N54.2 trillion 2025 budget will be presented to the Senate in plenary.

    He confirmed that members of the Committee on Appropriations will present the report either Wednesday or Thursday this week.

    Akpabio made this statement on Tuesday during plenary, following a debate on a bill to establish a Federal University of Agriculture in Abak, Akwa Ibom State.

    He emphasised the urgency of concluding the debate on the 2025 budget.

    “You will observe that some of our colleagues are not in the chamber because of the required final touches on the 2025 Appropriation Bill report, which will be laid before us tomorrow, Wednesday, or Thursday this week.

    “We need to close early to allow for collective efforts in that direction for final consideration and passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill,” he stated.

    Earlier in the session, the Senate passed five bills for first reading.

    The bills included the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) Alteration Bill 2025, the Armed Forces Act Amendment Bill 2025, and the Federal Medical Centres Act Amendment Bill 2025, among others.

    Additionally, the Senate passed for second reading a bill to amend the Federal University of Agriculture Act, aiming to establish the Federal University of Agriculture in Abak, Akwa Ibom.

    After the second reading, the bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture for further legislative input and expected to be reported back within three weeks.

  • Senate intervenes after fire, oil spill in Rivers

    Senate intervenes after fire, oil spill in Rivers

    The Senate has launched an urgent intervention following a catastrophic fire outbreak and oil spillage from Manifold Well 8/BUG 008 in OML 18, located in Bukuma (Agum), Rivers.

    The incident has caused severe environmental damage, displaced families, and sparked health crises across affected communities.

    The intervention followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Ipalibo Banigo (PDP-Rivers) during Thursday’s plenary.

    The motion was titled ‘Urgent Need to Mitigate the Recent Fire Outbreak and Oil Spillage from Manifold Well 8/BUG 008 in OML 18, Bukuma (Agum), Rivers West Senatorial District.’”

    It urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately investigate the cause of the fire and spill.

    The Senate also called on the Ecological Project Management Committee (EPMC) to deploy the Intervention Fund, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to address the ecological challenges in the affected areas.

    Banigo highlighted the disaster’s devastating impact, including pollution of rivers, destruction of farmlands, and contamination of aquatic life in Buguma, ASALGA, Ifoko, and Bukuma (Agum) in Degema Local Government Area.

    She noted that oil spills and fire outbreaks were recurring issues in the Niger Delta, often caused by safety lapses, sabotage, or weak enforcement of environmental laws.

    Banigo stressed that the oil spills have severe consequences, such as contamination of vital resources and health risks like respiratory and waterborne diseases, as well as long-term effects like cancer.

    She criticised the delayed response from oil companies and regulatory bodies, worsening the suffering of affected communities and eroding public trust.

    Sen. Isa Jibril (APC-Kogi) added that negligence from operators and compromised supervisory authorities were contributing factors to the ongoing issues.

    After a voice vote, all the motions were adopted by the senators, with Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau presiding over the plenary.

  • JUST IN: Senate confirms NCAA’s substantive DG

    JUST IN: Senate confirms NCAA’s substantive DG

    The Senate on Thursday,  confirmed the appointment of Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, as Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    Najomo’s confirmation followed the adoption of reports of Senate Committee on Aviation at  plenary.

    The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai (APC-Oyo) while presenting the report,  said the committee screened the nominee, and  found him suitable for the appointment.

    “This is due to his vast experience and outstanding contributions in the aviation industry” he said.

    He, however,urged the senate to approve the recommendations of the committee for confirmation and appointment of Najomo as director general, NCAA.

    Also, Sen.Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) said although he was not a member of the aviation committee, the resume of the nominee inspired hope, as there was no adverse security report from security agencies against him.

    Monguno urged the senate to approve the recommendations of the committee for confirmation.

    The senate thereafter,  confirmed the nomination of Najomo as director general of NCAA.

  • BREAKING: Senate confirms 3 INEC Commissioners

    BREAKING: Senate confirms 3 INEC Commissioners

    The Senate, on Thursday, confirmed three nominees of President Bola Tinubu for appointment as National Electoral Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters at plenary.

    The confirmed nominees for the National Electoral Commissioner are Tukur Abdulrazaq, representing North West , Prof . Sunday Nwambam Aja representing South East and Saseyib Feyijimi Ibeyemi for Resident Electoral Commissioner, representing Ondo State.

    Earlier while presenting the report of the committee, for consideration, Committee Chairman, Sen Alli Sharafadeen, said the three nominees were seasoned electoral managers that had been found suitable for the appointments.

    He said that there was no petition against the nominees, hence recommends that the senate confirm their appointment.

    Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jibrin, (APC-Kano), who presided over the plenary after their confirmation, commended the committee for its input in the confirmation process.

    He urged the confirmed persons to put in their best in the discharge of their electoral duties.

  • Popular Delta lawmaker writes senate on defection to APC

    Popular Delta lawmaker writes senate on defection to APC

    A lawmaker, Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District on Wednesday at plenary officially notified the senate of his defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Party (APC).

    Nwoko’s notification is contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Wednesday.

    Nwoko in the letter titled: ”Notice of Departure from the PDP to the APC” said he wrote to formally inform Akpabio and his other colleagues of his decision to resign his membership from PDP and consequently join APC.

    “This decision was not made lightly, but rather, after deep reflection and extensive consultations with my constituents, political associates and stakeholders across Delta North Senatorial District.

    “The PDP, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, has unfortunately been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction.

    “These unresolved conflicts have weakened its ability to function as an effective opposition, thereby threatening the very fabric of our democracy.

    “Mr. President, democracy thrives on a strong and credible opposition that keeps the government in check, promotes accountability and ensures that the voice of all Nigerians is heard.

    “The continued deterioration of the PDP raises serious concerns about the future of our multi-party democracy.

    “If urgent steps are not taken to address this national emergency, Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system, which history has shown to be detrimental to governance and national stability.

    “In view of this, I urge the senate to take this matter seriously by setting up an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the crisis within the PDP and recommend a way forward to safeguard our democracy,” he said.

    The senator stated that the committee should examine the root causes of PDP’s internal implosion, engage relevant stakeholders and propose reforms that would ensure the survival of a viable opposition in Nigeria.

    Nwoko said that he remained committed to serving the people of Delta North and contribute to the progress of the nation.

    However, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP-Benue), raised a point of order, saying that there was no division in the PDP National Working Committee.

    Moro said that PDP recognised the ruling of the Court of Appeal and abided by it, stating that the party recognised Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, in compliance with a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

    He argued that in the event of a defection of a lawmaker to another party, the lawmaker was deemed to have relinquished his/her seat in the parliament, having won election to the seat via his/her first party, maintaining that there was no division in PDP.

    Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), however, said there were visible factions in the PDP.

    “There is the Wike faction; there is the Bala Mohammed faction,” Jibrin said.

    Leader of the Senate, Sen Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), while raising a constitutional point of order, said Section 7 of 1999 Constitution (as amended) recognised the right of anyone to defect to any political party of his/her choice.

    According to him, establishing whether there is a division or not should not be a matter to be discussed on the floor of the senate but before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Bamidele, however, noted that the reality was that there was a division in PDP, with Wike leading a faction, insisting that it was the constitutional right of anyone to cross carpet.

  • Senate threatens to fire heads of FIRS, NNPCL, NCS, CBN, others

    Senate threatens to fire heads of FIRS, NNPCL, NCS, CBN, others

    The Senate has expressed concern over consistent failure of some critical revenue generating agencies to respond to expenditure queries raised by Office of Auditor-General for the Federation, (OAGF).

    It also vowed to report and recommend sack of the chief executives of such agencies to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appropriate action.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Aliyu Wadada, said these at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said there was the need for the agencies to account for the funds appropriated by the National Assembly, in line  with legislative provisions that empowers the parliament to carry out oversight responsibilities.

    Wadada said that the auditor-general’s report which had been submitted to the committee raised significant queries on the expenditure of some of the agencies.

    He listed some of the agencies that failed to appear before the committee to answer to the audit queries to include: Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), among others.

    The lawmaker said that the senate would report heads of such agencies to the president after providing them with another opportunity to answer to the queries.

    “All efforts to get Nigeria Customs Service to the table to know how this happen proved abortive.

    “It is important for Nigerians to know what happened under “ways and means”, why Central Bank of Nigeria debited borrower and credited borrower.

    “Central Bank of Nigeria debited consolidated revenue funds account and credited treasury single account which amounted to over N30 trillion.

    “Consolidated revenue funds account is government account, and the TSA is also government account.

    “And in charging the interest, instead of the interest to be charged to treasury account, they went ahead again to charge the treasury account.

    “They also went ahead to the treasury account and charged the consolidated revenue funds account, which now have amounted to over N6 trillion.

    “There were correspondences among the committee, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Debt Management Office (DMO) because of the faulty document which they were not ready to answer and have been evasive,” he said.

    Wadada said that the report of the auditor-general for the federation which queried the agencies covered 2019 till date.

    He also alleged that Nigeria Satellite Communications Limited had been invited for about nine times, but failed to appear, adding that Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority also fell into the category.

  • DEFECTION: Group demands Nwoko to resign immediately from Senate

    DEFECTION: Group demands Nwoko to resign immediately from Senate

    …asks civil society to start mobilising to ensure Nwoko is recalled

    The AUF has slammed Senator Ned Nwoko over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP asking him to resign his senate seat for betraying the mandate given him.

    The group in a statement on Saturday, February 1, 2025 said that Nwoko has smeared the people of Delta North by dumping the PDP and identifying himself with a party that is known for the hardship it has brought to Nigerians.

    The statement followed the recent letter by Nwoko to his ward chairman signifying his defection from the PDP. He had cited the crisis in the PDP as his reason for leaving the party.

    However, countering him, the AUF in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mani Onye and made available to newsmen at the weekend said:
    “We are shocked that Senator Ned Nwoko after riding on the popularity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the Senate office he had for long desired. We are more shocked that Nwoko with his seeming defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC is giving our constituency a badge that is strange to us.

    “Delta North prides itself as a no-go area for the APC and that is why the party has never been known to make any inroad into our constituency since it was founded. We are as such shocked that Nwoko would go to the Senate and identify himself and our constitutency with that party.

    “We call on him to toe the honourable path of resigning and seeking a fresh mandate, which he cannot get.”

    The AUF as such called on the PDP and all other civic society groups in the area to mobilise to retrieve the mandate from Senator Nwoko.

  • Senate invites Tinubu’s minister, Bagudu over low budgetary allocation to Creative Economy ministry

    Senate invites Tinubu’s minister, Bagudu over low budgetary allocation to Creative Economy ministry

    Senate invites Tinubu’s minister, Bagudu over low budgetary allocation to Creative Economy ministry

    The Senate, on Thursday invited the Minister of Budget and Economy Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu over the budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy.

    It ordered Bagudu to appear before it on Friday 24th January, 2025 by 10am.

    The Senate committee on Art, Culture and Creative Economy issued the invitation when the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa appeared before it to defend the ministry’s 2025 budget proposal.

    Irked by the low budgetary allocations of N4bn for a ministry with the potential to rake in billions of naira into the nation’s coffer, a resolution to invite the Minister of Budget and Economy Planning was reached.

    Senator Osita Izunaso moved the motion to invite Bagudu, saying it’s appalling for only four billion naira to be allocated to the nation’s creative economy ministry.

    Senator Izunaso stressed that a ministry with the second largest entertainment industry in the world must be given support and proper funding for it to contribute immensely to the nation’s revenue.

    Seconding the motion, Senator Aniekan Etim Bassey questioned why the budget of the Ministry was six billion naira in 2024, but four billion naira in 2025 even when the ministry is now two ministries put together?

    Musa Musawa had earlier told the committee that the ministry is looking forward to contributing over 100 billion naira to the nation’s coffer by 2030. But she noted that this can only be achieved if the right infrastructures are put in place for art, culture and entertainment to thrive in the country.

    The motion received an overwhelming support from the lawmakers as the chairman of the committee, Senator Mohammed Onawo Ogoshi, declared;

    “A motion has been moved and seconded, therefore this Senate committee hereby invite the Minister of Budget and Economy Planning for further interaction on the budget of the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, on Friday 24th January, 2025 by 10:00 am”.