Kehinde Fajobi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to cut excessive budget allocations for the presidency and National Assembly in the proposed 2025 budget.
In a letter dated 21 December 2024 and released on Sunday, SERAP highlighted the ₦9.4 billion allocated for travel, meals, and catering by the presidency and the ₦344.85 billion proposed for lawmakers, describing these figures as wasteful amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, criticised the allocations, stating: “Any proposed unnecessary spending by the presidency and the National Assembly would amount to a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].
“The proposed huge spending is neither necessary nor in the public interest, especially given the country’s dire economic situation and the level of proposed borrowing to fund the 2025 budget.”
The group called on the National Assembly to ask President Bola Tinubu to present a supplementary appropriation bill reducing the budgets for the presidency and legislature.
It also demanded full disclosure of the budget’s breakdown and a commitment to reduce the ₦344.85 billion earmarked for the National Assembly.
Among its concerns, SERAP flagged a ₦12 billion increase in allocations for asset rehabilitation, from ₦14 billion in 2024 to ₦26 billion in 2025.
It also criticised excessive travel expenses, revealing that the presidency plans to spend ₦8.74 billion on local and international trips by Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“The Office of the President proposes ₦7.01 billion for travel and transport expenses, including ₦873.8 million for local travel and ₦6.14 billion for international travel,” SERAP disclosed, adding that Shettima’s travel budget alone is ₦1.73 billion.
Concerns were also raised about catering expenses, with ₦546 million allocated for foodstuffs and ₦71 million for refreshments and meals.
Oluwadare remarked, “Many Nigerians will find it quite odd, unfair, and unjust that the government and lawmakers are spending so much on these items in the middle of a public borrowing crisis.”
SERAP also criticised the National Assembly’s ₦344.85 billion budget, questioning repetitive allocations and urging lawmakers to investigate and hold corrupt government agencies accountable.
“The National Assembly appears to budget the same amounts year after year for identical items, which raises questions about accountability and fiscal responsibility,” the letter read.
SERAP warned it would pursue legal action if the National Assembly fails to act, stressing its position is grounded in Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”