BudgIT accuses NASS of inserting N6.93tn projects into 2025 budget

A storm is gathering over Nigeria’s 2025 national budget as BudgIT, a prominent civic technology organization advocating for transparency and accountability, has accused the National Assembly of inserting over 11,000 questionable projects valued at a staggering N6.93 trillion into the Appropriation Bill.

The allegation has triggered a war of words and ignited fresh debates on legislative powers, budget integrity, and fiscal accountability.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, BudgIT warned that the legislative insertions — which were allegedly not proposed by the executive — constitute a direct threat to the principles of fiscal responsibility and undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s national development planning.

Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director, described the scale of the insertions as “alarming” and a “deliberate distortion” of the national budget process.

“The insertion of over 11,000 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 budget by the National Assembly is not just alarming, it is an assault on fiscal responsibility,” he stated.

“These insertions are becoming normalized. They redirect scarce public resources to satisfy political interests, rather than aligning with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025),” Okeowo added.

Shocking Project Inclusions

According to BudgIT’s breakdown, the allegedly inserted projects include: 1,477 streetlight projects worth N393.29 billion; 538 borehole projects totaling N114.53 billion; 2,122 ICT-related projects valued at N505.79 billion and N6.74 billion earmarked for the “empowerment of traditional rulers”

READ ALSO: Oil crash sparks fiscal alarm as Tinubu’s budget assumptions crumble

BudgIT further alleged that 238 mega-projects, each valued at over N5 billion and totaling N2.29 trillion, were added with little to no justification. Another 984 projects worth N1.71 trillion and 1,119 others valued at N641.38 billion were reportedly added without alignment to Nigeria’s national priorities.

One of the most concerning revelations, according to BudgIT, is the targeting of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, which saw 4,371 projects worth N1.72 trillion inserted into its capital expenditure, ballooning its budget from N242.5 billion to N1.95 trillion—an increase of over 700%.

BudgIT also flagged smaller agencies such as the Federal Cooperative College in Oji River and the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, accusing lawmakers of using them as dumping grounds for politically motivated and unrelated projects.

“These are agencies operating far outside their mandates, managing projects that add no developmental value and appear to serve private rather than public interests,” the organization said.

Silence from Authorities

BudgIT disclosed that despite formally notifying the Presidency, Budget Office, and National Assembly of the anomalies, none of the institutions had responded or taken responsibility.

“Even more concerning is the silence from the Presidency. Silence, in the face of overwhelming evidence, amounts to complicity,” Okeowo declared.

The group has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by ensuring budget transparency and has urged anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC to launch formal investigations.

READ ALSO: Nigeria faces twin economic shocks as oil prices plunge below budget benchmark

BudgIT is also advocating for judicial clarity, urging the Attorney-General of the Federation to seek a constitutional interpretation from the Supreme Court on the extent of legislative power in appropriation matters.

Lawmakers Fire Back

In a swift rebuttal, both chambers of the National Assembly dismissed BudgIT’s claims as “baseless” and “ignorant of legislative processes.”

Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said:

“The 2025 Appropriation Bill was presented by the executive, interrogated, and passed based on the exact amount presented. The dark angels of falsehood and public discord are only interested in stirring disaffection against the National Assembly.”

In the House of Representatives, Hon. Clement Jimbo, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, criticized BudgIT’s position as “uninformed.”

“I completely disagree with them. It is based on ignorance. The executive cannot send a budget of N50 billion, and we just approve it as is. That would make us rubber stamps. We are empowered to amend, adjust, and even insert projects that reflect national and regional aspirations,” Jimbo said.

He emphasized that the National Assembly has constitutional authority to review and modify the national budget, insisting that the legislature was acting within its legal remit.

A Call for Reform

Despite the pushback, BudgIT is doubling down on its call for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s budgeting process.

It is urging citizens, civil society groups, and the international development community to demand greater accountability and ensure that national budgets serve public interest over private ambition.

“This is not just about budget padding or fiscal mismanagement,” said Okeowo. “It is a matter of justice, equity, and the future of accountable governance in Nigeria. Transparency must be non-negotiable.”

As the debate intensifies, all eyes are now on the Presidency and anti-corruption agencies to determine whether this latest budget controversy will spark real accountability—or be swept aside as just another political storm.