Budget of Restoration: National Assembly Plans Early February Passage of N49.7 Trillion Bill

Details have emerged regarding how the National Assembly plans to fast-track the passage of the N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill. According to the legislative timeline, the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriations will lay its report on the budget on Friday, 31 January 2025, paving the way for its expected passage in early February.

Under the timetable, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will begin defending their allocations before the relevant committees starting Monday, 7 January 2025. A memo obtained by our correspondent in Abuja also revealed that on Friday, 7 January, the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Finance will meet with key government officials, including Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation.

The National Assembly’s budget defense sessions will continue with joint meetings between the Senate and House of Representatives’ appropriations subcommittees, alongside relevant MDAs, from Wednesday, 8 January to Wednesday, 15 January 2025.

Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, confirmed that the Appropriations Committee will present its final report on the budget on 31 January, allowing for the final stages of approval.

On 18 December 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the N49.7 trillion budget proposal, titled The 2025 Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity, during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives. The President emphasized the budget’s focus on fostering national peace, prosperity, and hope for Nigeria’s future.

The Senate had passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill for a second reading on 19 December, following a debate on its objectives and principles. The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC – Ogun West), for detailed scrutiny. Similarly, the House of Representatives has moved the Bill to its Committee on Appropriations for further legislative review.

With the legislative process already in motion, all indications suggest the N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill will be passed in early February 2025.