IBY Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Nigerian Senate has passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N49.7 trillion for second reading, following its presentation by President Bola Tinubu before a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The proposed budget, titled “Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” outlines government spending priorities for the year, with a particular focus on addressing security and economic challenges.
During his budget presentation, President Tinubu requested an extension of the 2024 budget’s implementation period to allow full utilization of its provisions, which was promptly debated and approved by the Senate. Consequently, the capital component of the 2024 budget will now be extended until June 30, 2025.
The Senate then convened for its separate session on Thursday, December 19, 2024, to discuss the general principles of the bill.
Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in his lead debate, noted that the bill was officially considered read for the first time, having already been presented in the joint session. He also highlighted expectations of a bumper agricultural harvest in 2025, driven by improved security, which he argued would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
Additionally, Bamidele emphasized the government’s plan to lower upstream oil and gas production costs, aiming to enhance sector efficiency and stimulate economic growth.
In the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) expressed cautious optimism about the budget’s potential but emphasized the role of the National Assembly in refining the President’s proposals. Ningi stressed that the real test lies in Parliament’s ability to shape the budget in ways that tackle the nation’s most pressing issues, such as hunger, economic hardship, and security.
“Our focus should be on outcomes that improve the lives of our citizens,” Ningi said. “Security must be prioritized as the bedrock for any meaningful progress. What matters is not only the size of the budget but the tangible improvements in the economic position of our people.”
Reflecting on past budget performance, Ningi called for a more effective implementation of the 2025 budget, urging lawmakers to ensure the budget delivers real benefits to Nigerians and fosters national progress.
Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) highlighted the critical importance of security in national development, stating that no sector can thrive without it. He supported the allocation of the largest portion of the budget to defense, emphasising that it reflects the nation’s pressing need to address insecurity. However, he noted that budgetary provisions alone are insufficient to achieve the desired outcomes.
“Giving all that we have faced as a nation with regards to insecurity, I am now convinced, more than ever before, that none of those other important sectors can be safe unless we have security and therefore, like all those who have spoken before me have said, I can’t question why defense would have a lion’s share of the budget.
“But the lessons we have learned since we assumed duties here is that budgetary provisions alone will not translate to the kind of outcome Mr. President spoke to.”
While Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) called for the budget to include provisions for the South West Development Commission,
Sen. Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) expressed concern over the omission of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Eastern Railway Line in the President’s budget speech.
While acknowledging plans to construct the Sokoto-Badagry and Lagos-Calabar highways, Umeh highlighted the importance of the Eastern Rail Line, which he had previously championed through a motion co-sponsored by 35 senators. The motion had called for the Federal Government to build a standard-
gauge railway from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, and it was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
“You will recall that I brought a motion here for the Federal Government to build the Eastern Railway Line and that motion was co-sponsored by 35 senators. It was unanimously resolved that the President should build standard-age rail from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.”
Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) also contributed to the debate, underscoring that the protection of lives and property is the fundamental duty of any government. He expressed concern over the need for effective implementation of the N2.6 billion infrastructure allocation, warning that without proper execution, such funds risked remaining mere projections without real impact.
In response to the discussions, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Senate Committee on Appropriation, requesting a report back within four weeks.
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