Nigeria’s proposed 2025 budget is facing serious scrutiny, and not in a good way! BudgIT, a leading civic tech organization, has raised major red flags, pointing out significant irregularities that could undermine the country’s financial stability and development goals. The National Assembly is now under pressure to address these issues before it’s too late. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on:
- Missing Budgets: Over 60 government agencies, including major players like the Nigeria Ports Authority and Customs, are MIA in the budget.
- Hidden Costs: Billions allocated to regional commissions are lumped under ‘personnel costs,’ making it impossible to track actual spending.
- Coastal Road Chaos: A major infrastructure project, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, has mysteriously vanished from the budget.
- Military Spending Concerns: President Tinubu’s proposed retirement benefits for top generals contradict his previous vows to cut costs.
- National Assembly Insertions: History shows the assembly likes to add their own projects, often without proper planning or purpose, leading to massive budget bloat.
BudgIT Sounds the Alarm
BudgIT didn’t hold back in their statement, signed by Communications Associate, Ms. Nancy Odimegwu. They’re calling on the National Assembly to use its power to fix the problems in the proposed 2025 budget. They want a budget that actually helps Nigerians, focusing on job creation, poverty reduction, and real economic growth.
The Case of the Missing Budgets
Where are the budgets for Nigeria’s most important agencies? That’s the big question BudgIT is asking. They’ve noted that over 60 government-owned enterprises (GOEs) are completely absent from the proposed 2025 budget. We’re talking about organizations like the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). These are huge players, and their missing budgets are causing major concern.
Hidden Expenses and Regional Commissions
But it’s not just missing budgets that BudgIT is worried about. The way some funds are allocated is also raising eyebrows. A massive ₦2.49 trillion has been given to regional development commissions, but it’s all lumped together under “personnel costs.” This makes it impossible to see how the money is being spent. BudgIT rightly points out this lack of transparency makes it difficult to judge if the commissions are actually working to achieve their development goals. It’s like hiding money under a mattress – you can’t see where it is going or if it’s actually working for you.
Coastal Road Vanishes Into Thin Air
Another major issue is the fact that the budget has no funding for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road. This is a massive project, and if it gets funded, the money will likely have to be taken from other important areas, which makes you wonder what projects will suffer because of this.
Military Spending Controversy
President Tinubu’s recent comments about retirement packages for military generals are also causing a stir. BudgIT notes this contradicts his previous promise to cut government spending, and these types of benefits can inflate the budget and possibly demoralize lower-ranking soldiers, who may not have the same benefits.
National Assembly’s History of Budget Insertions
The National Assembly isn’t off the hook either. BudgIT has raised concerns that the lawmakers tend to add their own projects to the budget, often without proper planning or regard for the country’s priorities. In the past, they’ve added thousands of projects that weren’t in the original budget proposal, leading to a massive bloat and misuse of funds. Here’s a quick look at how they’ve piled on the projects:
Year | Added Capital Projects |
---|---|
2021 | 5,601 |
2022 | 6,462 |
2024 | 7,447 |
BudgIT is urging the National Assembly to act responsibly and prioritize the needs of the nation over personal gain. It’s time for the budget to actually work for the people, not just a select few.
A Call to Action
The issues raised by BudgIT paint a worrying picture. It’s up to the National Assembly to prove that they’re committed to a transparent, accountable, and effective budget for Nigeria. Will they step up or let these irregularities stand? Nigerians are watching.