Abuja | May 20, 2025 — A new report by civic tech organization BudgIT has raised alarm over the insertion of 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion by the National Assembly into the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget, describing the trend as fiscally risky and politically driven.
In the report titled “Insertions by the National Assembly in the 2025 Budget,” BudgIT said the legislature’s additions significantly altered the capital allocation landscape, amplifying what it called an “ugly trend” accelerated during the 9th Assembly.
Budget Restructured for Political Projects
According to BudgIT’s analysis:
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The recurrent non-debt budget was increased by N299.75 billion, from N8.58 trillion to N8.81 trillion.
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The recurrent debt servicing budget was slashed by N2 trillion, from N16.32 trillion to N14.31 trillion.
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Capital expenditure ballooned by over N9 trillion, rising from N14.85 trillion to N23.96 trillion.
“This increase reflects newly introduced or inflated projects. Of the capital additions, N6.93 trillion stems from 11,122 inserted projects—many of which do not align with national priorities,” BudgIT said.
Major Insertions in Key Ministries
BudgIT reported that:
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4,371 projects worth N1.72 trillion were added under the Ministry of Agriculture, raising its capital budget from N242.5 billion to N1.95 trillion.
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1,777 projects valued at N994.98 billion were inserted into the Ministry of Science and Technology.
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90 additional projects worth N1.1 trillion were allocated to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The group criticized the misalignment of projects with agency mandates, citing examples like:
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Federal College of Fisheries, New Bussa, which reportedly spent nearly N1 billion on projects outside its jurisdiction in Lagos and Ogun states.
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Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute and Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, were also identified as dumping grounds for politically motivated projects.
Examples of Inserted Projects
The report detailed the nature and location of the insertions:
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1,477 streetlight projects worth N393.29 billion
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538 boreholes totaling N114.53 billion
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2,122 ICT-related projects valued at N505.79 billion
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319 health projects worth N420.09 billion
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N6.74 billion allocated for the “empowerment of traditional rulers”
BudgIT noted that 3,573 projects worth N653.19 billion were inserted into federal constituencies, while 1,972 projects worth N444.04 billion were allocated directly to senatorial districts—raising concerns over political patronage and budget fragmentation.
FMBEP Responds: It’s Constitutional, Not ‘Insertion’
A source within the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning responded to the report, arguing that the 1999 Constitution grants the National Assembly the power to alter budget proposals, including adding or removing items.
“It is wrong to describe these adjustments as ‘insertions’ in a derogatory manner. The budget is a negotiated document, and all alterations were done with the knowledge of the executive,” the source said.
The source emphasized that President Tinubu’s assent to the budget reflects his commitment to democratic collaboration and separation of powers.
BudgIT Warns of Waste and Underperformance
BudgIT concluded that the widespread budget alterations risk undermining transparency, misaligning public spending with actual national needs, and placing further strain on implementation capacity.
“Agencies are now overloaded with projects they lack the technical capacity to execute. This results in rampant underperformance, fiscal waste, and public disillusionment,” the organization warned.
What’s Next?
As Nigeria continues to grapple with fiscal deficits, rising debt servicing costs, and pressing development challenges, stakeholders say these budget practices may undermine national planning and public trust unless a system of greater oversight, transparency, and accountability is enforced.
Download Full Report:
Insertions by the National Assembly in the 2025 Budget – BudgIT PDF
