The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to cut back on proposed extravagant spending in the 2025 budget.
SERAP specifically urged them to reduce the proposed budget of ₦9.4 billion for travels, refreshment, and catering for the presidency, as well as the ₦344.85 billion allocated to the National Assembly, redirecting the savings to address the nation’s budget deficit.
The organisation further urged Akpabio and Abbas to request President Bola Tinubu to submit a revised supplementary appropriation bill that reflects reduced allocations for both the presidency and the National Assembly. They also called on the lawmakers to disclose a detailed breakdown of the National Assembly’s proposed budget, including personnel costs, salaries, and allowances.
In a letter dated 21 December 2024, signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group also demanded accountability for missing public funds. “We urge you to invite the heads of the alleged corrupt ministries, departments, and agencies [MDAs] to explain the whereabouts of the missing billions of naira of public funds, as documented in the recently released 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation,” the letter stated.
SERAP emphasised that unnecessary spending by the presidency and National Assembly constitutes a breach of the Nigerian Constitution. According to the letter, “The proposed huge spending is neither necessary nor in the public interest, especially in the face of the country’s dire economic situation and the level of proposed borrowing to fund the 2025 budget.”
Highlighting specific allocations, SERAP noted: “While the presidency budget for ‘rehabilitation and repairs of fixed assets’ in the 2024 budget was ₦14 billion, the budget for the same item in the 2025 budget is ₦26 billion, an increase of about ₦12 billion.”
The group criticised the apparent duplication of allocations, stating, “The National Assembly seems to budget the same amounts in the 2025 budget for the same budget items in the 2024 budget.” They warned that such spending undermines public trust, adding, “Many Nigerians will find it quite odd, unfair and unjust that the government and lawmakers are spending so much money on many of these items in the middle of a public borrowing crisis.”
SERAP detailed the proposed spending for the presidency, which includes ₦8.74 billion for local and international travel for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. For the Office of the President, ₦7.01 billion is allocated for travel and transport expenses, broken down into ₦873.88 million for local travel and ₦6.14 billion for international travel. Similarly, the Office of the Vice President has a proposed ₦1.73 billion allocation for travel and transport, with ₦417.49 million for local travel and ₦1.31 billion for international travel.
In addition, the presidency plans to spend ₦546.22 million on foodstuff and catering materials and ₦71.43 million on refreshment and meals. Honorarium and sitting allowance are pegged at ₦87.58 million, while other recurrent expenditures include drugs and medical supplies (₦79.67 million), publicity and advertisements (₦26.46 million), and welfare packages for the Office of the Vice President (₦24.91 million).
Should the National Assembly fail to address these concerns, SERAP warned of legal action. “We would consider appropriate legal action to compel the National Assembly to discharge its constitutional oversight and fiduciary responsibilities,” the letter stated.
SERAP reminded lawmakers of their constitutional duties, quoting sections of the Nigerian Constitution that emphasise transparency, accountability, and prioritisation of public welfare. For instance, Section 14(2)(b) states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” while Section 15(5) mandates public institutions to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.
The organisation stressed that cutting unnecessary spending by the presidency and the National Assembly would demonstrate their commitment to addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges. “Cutting waste and apparently unnecessary spending would go a long way in addressing the budget deficit and debt problems,” SERAP argued.
They concluded by urging lawmakers to act in the best interest of Nigerians, ensuring that public resources are utilised to benefit the poor and marginalised.
