The federal government’s 2025 budget proposal has stirred controversy, with a significant N2.3 trillion allocation directed towards the now-defunct Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs and Sports Development.
This allocation has raised questions about potential errors or lapses in the preparation of the budget.
Experts expressed concerns that the budget documents may lack the necessary diligence, as the funds appear to have been earmarked for the newly established Ministry of Regional Development and the National Sports Commission (NSC), which replaced the former Ministry of Sports Development.
The scrapping of both ministries was announced in October by the government.
The budget proposal, presented by President Bola Tinubu, revealed that despite the dissolution of the ministries, the sum of N2.23 trillion was still allocated to the Niger Delta Ministry, including N2.2 trillion for personnel costs. Similarly, N95 billion was earmarked for the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development, including significant capital and operational expenses.
Additionally, the five regional development commissions, now under the Ministry of Regional Development, were allocated a combined N2.49 trillion.
The individual commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), received substantial allocations, raising further concerns about budget redundancy.
The allocation for the State House’s wildlife conservation, which includes N179.6 million for the Presidential Wildlife Sanctuary, also raised eyebrows.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the 2025 budget, highlighting its lack of fiscal discipline and structural reforms.
He pointed out the unsustainable borrowing strategy and inefficient government spending as significant challenges to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Civil society groups, such as CISLAC, have called the budget allocations to scrapped ministries “embarrassing” and “scandalous,” urging the National Assembly to thoroughly review the document before approval to prevent potential misuse of public funds.
