The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to cut excessive budget proposals and redirect the savings toward addressing Nigeria’s budget deficit.
SERAP criticized the proposed N9.4 billion allocated for travels, meals, and catering materials for the presidency, and the N344.85 billion budgeted for the National Assembly in the 2025 appropriation bill. The organization also urged the National Assembly to request President Bola Tinubu to present a revised supplementary budget reflecting these cuts.
In a letter dated December 21, 2024, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group demanded transparency, asking Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the breakdown of the National Assembly’s proposed budget, including personnel costs, salaries, and allowances.
SERAP emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, especially given the country’s economic challenges. It urged the National Assembly to invite heads of allegedly corrupt ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to account for missing public funds, as highlighted in the 2021 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
“Any proposed unnecessary spending by the presidency and the National Assembly would amount to a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended],” SERAP stated.
The group argued that the proposed spending is unjustifiable amid Nigeria’s economic hardship and the significant borrowing needed to fund the 2025 budget.
According to SERAP, the 2025 appropriation bill, titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” includes: N8.74 billion for local and international travel for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
While the Office of the President plans to spend N7.01 billion on travel, including N6.14 billion for international trips, the Office of the Vice President proposes N1.73 billion for travel, with N1.31 billion allocated for international trips, N546.2 million for foodstuff and catering materials, N71.4 million for refreshments and meals, and N87.5 million for honorarium and sitting allowances across both offices.
Furthermore, SERAP also alleged that the National Assembly, has proposed an overall budget of N344.85 billion, with no detailed breakdown provided.
SERAP has however, criticized the repeated allocation of similar amounts for the same items across consecutive budgets, describing it as evidence of poor fiscal discipline. The organization stated that failure to address these issues and tackle corruption in MDAs could prompt legal action to compel the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
“Both the presidency and the National Assembly budgets underscore the lack of political will to reduce the cost of governance,” SERAP concluded.
The group urged the National Assembly to commit to reducing its proposed budget for 2025 and to ensure greater accountability in public spending.