National Assembly to Thoroughly Review N49.70 Trillion 2025 Budget – Agbese

Abuja, NigeriaHon. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has assured the public that the National Assembly will conduct a thorough review of the N49.70 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill submitted by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024. Agbese emphasized that there will be no compromises during the legislative review process, as the House aims to ensure that the budget reflects the best interests of Nigerians.

Overview of the 2025 Budget

In his budget proposal, President Tinubu outlined that the 2025 budget targets a revenue of N34.82 trillion, with a significant allocation of N15.81 trillion for debt servicing. The key sectors receiving funding in the proposed budget include:

  • Defense and securityN4.91 trillion
  • InfrastructureN4.06 trillion
  • HealthN2.48 trillion
  • EducationN3.52 trillion

President Tinubu expressed that the budget was designed to strengthen the economy, ensuring growth and development for the nation while committing to priorities such as security, infrastructure, and social services.

House’s Review Process

Speaking to Vanguard on Tuesday, Agbese, a representative of Benue State from the All Progressives Congress (APC), revealed that the House committees have been diligently examining the budget estimates submitted by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The process, which began earlier in January 2025, has already made significant progress.

“We started the defense of the 2025 budget estimates earlier this month, and so far, we have made significant progress. As promised, we have asked relevant questions, and where we were unsatisfied, we demanded clarifications,” Agbese explained.

Scrutiny of MDAs’ Presentations

While some MDAs presented solid proposals, others were found lacking in clarity and substance. Despite these discrepancies, Agbese emphasized that behind the scenes, the House of Representatives has been meticulous in its review process to ensure that the budget will provide value for the Nigerian people.

“As a parliament, we are acutely aware of the country’s economic challenges, and we will not approve frivolous budgetary demands. We made it clear to Ministers and Heads of Agencies that they must explore innovative ways to generate revenue to run the government effectively,” Agbese stated.

Commitment to National Interest

Agbese reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that integrity and national interest guide all decisions related to the budget. He emphasized that the House would not approve any provisions that go against the interests of the Nigerian people.

“We promised that as representatives of Nigerians, we would ensure the right decisions are made. The budget is for Nigerians, and anything that goes against their interests will not be supported,” Agbese added.

Call for Public Support

In conclusion, Agbese called on Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration in its efforts to revamp the economy and ensure effective governance. He reassured the public that the National Assembly would remain committed to ensuring the effective and transparent allocation of resources in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The ongoing review process is expected to further highlight the challenges of managing a N49.70 trillion budget, with lawmakers seeking to balance fiscal responsibility, debt management, and investment in critical sectors for the future of the nation.

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