The National Assembly on Tuesday revised the 2025 budget, making significant adjustments by reducing capital expenditure by over N500 billion while increasing recurrent expenditure by the same amount. Despite the changes, the total budget size remains N54.99 trillion.
The adjustments, which affected allocations to several ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), were made to correct errors identified in the budget passed last week. Lawmakers explained that the modifications were necessary to ensure accuracy and proper allocation of resources.
During plenary sessions in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, legislators reviewed and approved corrections to the figures assigned to various government agencies. While some MDAs experienced reductions in their allocations, others saw an upward revision.
Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, who presented the motion for the review, stated that the decision followed the discovery of discrepancies in the figures passed earlier.
“The final figure of N54.99 trillion, as well as the statutory transfer of N3.64 trillion and N14.32 trillion, remained unchanged. However, the recurrent (non-debt) expenditure of N13.56 trillion and the capital budget of N23.44 trillion were affected,” Waive explained.
According to the revised document, allocations to the Ministries of Defence and Police Affairs, the National Pension Commission, Universities Pensions, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (civilian pensions), and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate were reduced.
Meanwhile, several ministries and government agencies saw their budgetary provisions increase. These include the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Others that received an increase include the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Works, Labour and Employment, Transportation, Innovation, Science and Technology, Education, Environment, and Health and Social Welfare.
Waive emphasized that as part of its legislative responsibility, the House had to correct the discrepancies identified in the compilation process by the Joint Appropriation Committee. He assured that the rescission and re-passage of the budget would not alter its overall size.
The review reflects the National Assembly’s efforts to ensure that public funds are allocated appropriately while addressing key national priorities. With the adjustments, more funds have been channeled toward recurrent expenditure, which covers salaries, pensions, and other operational costs of government institutions. However, the reduction in capital expenditure may raise concerns about the execution of infrastructure projects and development initiatives in the 2025 fiscal year.
The budget adjustments now await implementation by the executive arm, with expectations that the reviewed allocations will align with the country’s economic and developmental objectives.
