Lawmakers expressed mixed reactions to President Tinubu’s presentation of the 2025 budget estimates to a joint session of the national assembly on December 18th, 2024.
National Assembly members expressed varying opinions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of the 2025 budget estimates, pegged at ₦49.8 trillion. The budget presentation, a significant moment in the legislative calendar, was met with cheers and chants for the president, especially by members of his party.
Highlights of the budget estimates include: defence and security- N4.91 trillion, infrastructure- N4.06 trillion, Health – N2.48 trillion and education- N3.52 trillion. Here are comments made by lawmakers at the end of the presentation event:
Support and Concerns Over Key Provisions
Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) commended the budget’s focus on education, healthcare, and economic development. As a member of the senate committee on tertiary education and chair of the subcommittee on students loans, he lauded the increased allocation for student loans, viewing it as a step toward improving access to higher education.
Dickson also welcomed proposed investments in healthcare and other key sectors but raised concerns about the budget’s ambitious assumptions, including the production target of two million barrels of oil per day. He argued that achieving such targets would require better engagement with oil-producing communities and improved welfare programmes. Furthermore, Dickson criticised the budget’s deficit nature, noting its heavy reliance on borrowing. “We need comprehensive tax reforms to boost government revenue and reduce dependency on debt financing,” he stated.
Rep. Ishiaka Adegboyega (APC, Ogun) praised the president for prioritising education and expressed optimism about meeting revenue targets. “The focus on education is commendable. While there’s a lot of work to be done, ongoing tax reforms could enhance revenue generation and reduce reliance on borrowing,” he remarked.
Addressing economic challenges
Rep. Joshua Gana (PDP, Niger) expressed confidence in the budget’s potential to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. He called for diligent legislative scrutiny during the budget defense process to ensure the proposals align with the nation’s needs. “The budget is a solid proposal to address economic issues, and it requires the support of Nigerians to ensure its successful implementation,” Gana said, urging citizens to remain hopeful and supportive.
While the budget presentation has drawn praise for its ambitious focus on education, healthcare, and economic development, concerns about revenue assumptions, borrowing, and implementation timelines remain prominent in the discussions among lawmakers.
