December 22, (THEWILL) – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to drastically reduce the proposed N9.4 billion allocation for travels, refreshments, and catering for the presidency in the 2025 budget.
SERAP also urged the National Assembly to cut its proposed N344.85 billion budget and redirect the funds to address Nigeria’s budget deficit.
President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill of N49.7 trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 18. Tagged the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity”, the budget includes, N4.4 trillion for statutory transfers, N16.3 trillion for debt service, N14.1 trillion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, N14.85 trillion for capital expenditure.
SERAP, in a letter dated December 21, 2024, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the proposed spending as extravagant and unconstitutional. The group argued that such allocations were unnecessary given Nigeria’s dire economic challenges and high borrowing levels.
According to SERAP, the presidency’s 2025 budget proposal includes N8.74 billion for local and international trips (N7 billion for the President, N1.73 billion for the Vice President), N546 million for foodstuff and catering materials, N71.4 million for refreshments and meals, N87.5 million for honorarium and sitting allowances.
Other allocations include, N79.6 million** for drugs and medical supplies (Office of the President only), N26.4 million for publicity and advertisements and N24.9 million** for welfare packages (Office of the Vice President).
SERAP expressed outrage over the continued increase in government spending amid widespread poverty and economic hardship. The group noted that the proposed N26 billion for rehabilitation of fixed assets by the presidency in 2025 represents a N12 billion increase from the N14 billion allocated in 2024.
“The proposed spending is a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution and a betrayal of public trust,” SERAP stated.
It added that such funds should instead be used to address critical needs, including basic infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
SERAP urged Akpabio and Abbas to demand a supplementary appropriation bill from President Tinubu that reflects reduced budgets for both the presidency and the National Assembly.
The group also called for, “ A detailed breakdown of the proposed N344.85 billion National Assembly budget.
“Investigations into alleged corruption in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) flagged in the 2021 audit report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
SERAP warned that it would consider legal action to compel the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional oversight duties if its recommendations were ignored.
Highlighting Nigeria’s rising debt burden and fiscal challenges, SERAP stressed the need for urgent reforms to reduce the cost of governance. It emphasized that persistent borrowing and wasteful spending undermine the country’s economic stability and compromise the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“Cutting unnecessary expenses would demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance,” the organisation concluded.
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