The Senate yesterday commenced the defence of the 2025 federal budget, with key ministers and directors-general of government agencies facing intense scrutiny from various standing committees. The session, which signaled the start of rigorous budget evaluation, focused on transparency, fiscal discipline, and the execution of the 2024 budget.
Among those questioned were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu. Both ministers appeared before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West). The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and his counterpart at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Mohammed Ali, also faced probing questions from the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, led by Senator Kenneth Eze (APC, Ebonyi Central).
The Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, was questioned extensively about the implementation of the 2024 budget, particularly its capital component. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) demanded detailed explanations on how the proceeds from the removal of fuel subsidies were utilized in the 2024 fiscal year, the total amount saved, and the funds allocated to debt servicing. He also questioned the rationale behind extending the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025, and whether the extension would yield the desired results given the low implementation rate.
Visibly perturbed by the line of questioning, Mr. Edun requested a closed-door session to provide detailed responses, stating, “Are we in a closed-door session? If not, I humbly request one for more comprehensive explanations.” Following this, Senator Adeola directed journalists to leave the room, allowing the committee and the finance minister to continue in private.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation expressed dissatisfaction with the budgetary proposals of the NOA and NAN for the 2025 fiscal year. The committee directed Mallam Issa-Onilu to re-draft and re-present the NOA’s proposal, particularly questioning the agency’s implementation of the national identity project, which they claimed was unknown to many Nigerians, especially those in rural areas.
Similarly, the NAN Director General, Mr. Ali Mohammed Ali, was instructed to reconcile discrepancies in the 2024 budget implementation figures before submitting projections for 2025. The committee emphasized the need for accuracy and coherence in budgetary submissions, urging the agency to address the inconsistencies promptly.
As the budget defence continues, the Senate has reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and efficiency in the allocation and utilization of public funds for the 2025 fiscal year.
by Saifullahi Muhammad
