•Tinubu and Senate
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, has affirmed January 31, 2025, as a provisional date for the passage of the 2025 ₦49.7 trillion budget as the committee prepares to begin budget defence tomorrow.
He made this disclosure today during a meeting with the chairmen of relevant committees on the template for the 2025 Budget Defence Session to guide the budget process towards its eventual signing into law.
Olamilekan further revealed that upon the resumption of plenary by January 14, 2025, the Senate would immediately commence a two-week break for the seamless continuation of the budget defence process.
He equally revealed a planned retreat on Thursday on the budget consideration which will involve ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in the polity for further consultation and insight into the content of the budget proposal.
According to the timetable, from January 15 to 18, it is expected that the committees would report back on their documents, after which collation and tiding of documents by the Appropriation Committee.
Acknowledging the limited timeframe, Olamilekan emphasised the need for lawmakers to intensify their efforts.
He also urged his colleagues to forgo their holidays and begin immediate work on the proposed budget estimate, underscoring the importance of timely and efficient handling of the budget process within the stipulated timeframe.
Reps To Commence 2025 Budget Defence tomorrow
Like The Senate, The House of Representatives is to also commence the defence for the 2025 appropriation bill by Ministries Departments and Agencies tomorrow.
The chairman House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi, revealed this today after a meeting with chairmen of statutory committees at the House of Representatives.
Bichi also stated that the House hopes to pass the budget before or by the end of January 2025.
On December 18, 2024, President Bola Tinubu presented a₦49.7 trillion Budget Proposal for 2025 before a joint session of the National Assembly, with Security and defence, infrastructure, health and education topping the allocations.
