A Honourable member, representing Katagum Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Rep Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe has bemeaoned about Nigeria running four budgets concurrently in one year, including the 2023 and 2024 budgets and their supplementary budgets.

He described this situation as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.

Gwalabe questioned the practicality of presenting the 2025 budget while previous budgets remain unresolved and highlighted the potential consequences of concurrent budget implementation, including, Delayed Project Implementation: The 2023 budget may extend into June 2025 or face further extensions, Inefficient Resource Allocation:, The overlap of budgets may lead to confusion and inefficiencies, Unclear Benefits: Nigerians may not feel the impacts of previous budgets.

The Lawmaker under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this Journalists in an interview shortly after the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

As a member of the opposition party, Gwalabe emphasized his commitment to supporting policies benefiting the poor and grassroots populations and urged the government to fund the 2025 budget effectively to achieve its promised “Restoration” goals.

He therefore prayed that the government would be able to fund the 2025 budget or else the Restoration that they are talking about will not be possible.

“Because you can’t be running the budgets concurrently. My main concern about this budget is that it says it’s a budget of restoration, that’s okay; but the 2023 budget is still running.

“We are running four budgets in one year – 2023 budget and its supplementary and 2024 budget and its supplementary. The 2023 budget will probably enlaps in June 2025 or they may extend it.

“Now, the budget of 2025 will enlaps when? That’s my major concern. When will the common man feel the impacts of the 2023 and 2024 budgets?

“If you look at last year’s budget, the capital expenditure was higher, which has never been in the history of Nigeria. The recurrent expenditure was low, less than 40%, but this budget of 2025 is saying 50% is going for the capital expenditure while 48% goes for the recurrent expenditure.

“So, there’s an increase in the recurrent expenditure, that’s where I have a very good question. I come from the opposition party”, he stressed.

“I pray that the government will be able to fund the 2025 budget or else that restoration that they are talking about will not be possible because you can’t be running the budgets concurrently.

On the impact of the 2023 budget, the lawmaker said, “Ask yourself if there is any relief? Check the 2024 budget, is there any form of respite for the people, let alone the one that was brought today.

“Now the question is not for me alone, it’s for all Nigerians. They will have to decide if they have enjoyed the 2023 and 2024 budget” he noted.

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

• Federal Medical Centre, Bida
• Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
• Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
• Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
• Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
• Federal College of Education, Yola
• Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
• Federal University of Technology, Minna
• Cross River Basin Development Authority
• Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
• National Examination Council (NECO)
• Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
• Presidential Amnesty Programme
• Galaxy Backbone
• Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.