National Assembly's Budget Insertions Raise Concerns over Fiscal Abuse and Political Manipulation

Strategic Insights -

The 2025 federal budget, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in February, has been marred by controversy over insertions made by the National Assembly. According to BudgIT, a civic tech organisation focused on public finance transparency, the National Assembly inserted 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the budget, sparking concerns over fiscal abuse and political manipulation. These insertions, made with little to no justification, have been flagged by BudgIT as undermining national planning and diverting funds away from essential development priorities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Assembly inserted 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 federal budget, with 4,371 projects valued at N1.72 trillion being pushed into the Ministry of Agriculture's budget, inflating its capital allocation from N242.5 billion to N1.95 trillion.
  • 238 projects each valued above N5 billion, totaling N2.29 trillion, and another 984 projects worth N1.71 trillion were also inserted into the budget, with many being flagrantly indiscriminate and politically motivated.
  • The analysis highlighted that 3,573 of the inserted projects, worth N653.19 billion, are designated for federal constituencies, while 1,972 projects, valued at N444.04 billion, are tied to senatorial districts.
  • The list includes 1,477 streetlight projects worth N393.29 billion, 538 borehole projects at N114.53 billion, and 2,122 ICT-related projects totaling N505.79 billion.
  • N6.74 billion was earmarked for the 'empowerment of traditional rulers.'
  • 39 percent of all insertions, 4,371 projects valued at N1.72 trillion, were pushed into the Ministry of Agriculture, inflating its capital allocation.
  • Smaller federal agencies such as the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute in Lagos and the Federal Cooperative College in Oji River were misused as conduits for projects outside their mandates.
  • Examples include the Cooperative College being saddled with N3 billion for utility vehicles, N1.5 billion for rural electrification in Rivers State, and N1 billion for solar streetlights in Enugu.

Statistics:

  • 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion were inserted into the 2025 federal budget.
  • 4,371 projects valued at N1.72 trillion were pushed into the Ministry of Agriculture's budget.
  • 238 projects each valued above N5 billion, totaling N2.29 trillion, were inserted into the budget.
  • 984 projects worth N1.71 trillion were also inserted into the budget.
  • 3,573 of the inserted projects, worth N653.19 billion, are designated for federal constituencies.
  • 1,972 projects, valued at N444.04 billion, are tied to senatorial districts.
  • 1,477 streetlight projects worth N393.29 billion were inserted into the budget.
  • 538 borehole projects at N114.53 billion were inserted into the budget.
  • 2,122 ICT-related projects totaling N505.79 billion were inserted into the budget.
  • N6.74 billion was earmarked for the 'empowerment of traditional rulers.'

Sources:

  • BudgIT
  • [The statement released by BudgIT on Tuesday]