The House of Representatives is advocating for increased funding for certain government agencies beyond the allocations proposed in the 2025 budget estimates. This was disclosed on Monday by the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Mr. Philip Agbese.
As the National Assembly prepares to possibly pass the N49.70 trillion 2025 budget proposal this week, Agbese stated that agencies deemed crucial to the nation’s socio-economic development have been identified for enhanced funding in the upcoming fiscal year.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas-led House to the vision of a renewed Nigeria, the lawmaker urged citizens to remain hopeful, assuring that the current economic hardship will soon give way to national prosperity.
He said, “We are advocating for increased funding for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in the 2025 budget proposal. Additionally, other government agencies may also benefit from this initiative.
“NIMC has become a vital institution in recent years. While many Nigerians may not fully grasp its significance, the agency plays a crucial role in establishing a national data bank. Strengthening this commission is essential.
“They have outlined an ambitious plan for 2025, but their ability to deliver depends on adequate resources to train personnel and acquire cutting-edge technology necessary for their operations. Without NIMC, the government’s and security agencies’ efforts to combat terrorism would be significantly more challenging.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker emphasized the need for reforms in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, citing its vital role in meeting the nation’s manpower needs across both the public and private sectors.
“The ideals of the NYSC must be preserved, which is why we are advocating for adequate funding of the corps. While it is too early to disclose the exact amount agreed upon, it is important to note that the National Assembly is dissatisfied with the current state of the NYSC,” he stated.
“We believe the corps should receive better funding to address the needs of corps members. During their service year, they contribute immensely to the nation in ways that cannot be easily quantified,” he added.
He made a similar case for increased funding for the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), emphasizing the need to stay ahead of evolving security threats.
“At a time when terrorists continue to develop new strategies despite the bravery of our troops, we must find ways to outmaneuver them. One key approach is to strengthen the institutions responsible for training and equipping our security personnel to address emerging security challenges effectively,” he stated.
“Moreover, we recognize that the budget envelope system is insufficient to cover the capital expenditure needs of many of these agencies. When the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, appeared before the House Committee on Defence to defend the ministry’s budget, he raised concerns over the meager N50 billion allocation in the 2025 budget proposal. This funding shortfall is a common challenge faced by several other government agencies,” he added.
He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of Nigeria’s foreign missions, stating that they deserve commendation for their service to the nation. He added that the House has agreed to an upward review of their budget estimates.
It is worth noting that in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on December 18, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was allocated N66.88 billion for capital expenditure and N286.88 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure.
Concerned about the inadequate budget allocation, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, expressed his dissatisfaction in January 2025. “The needs assessment conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates a requirement of N1.5 trillion. While the Federal Government may not be able to meet this in a single financial year, the ministry and its missions should receive at least N500 billion, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework approved by the parliament. We must also factor in the impact of the fluctuating exchange rate,” he stated.
“We have several obligations, including subscriptions to international organizations, passage allowances for Foreign Service Officers, and participation in the United Nations General Assembly, among others. We have strongly advocated for increased funding for foreign missions due to the critical services they provide to Nigerians abroad,” he added.
Oke also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his leadership, highlighting the ministry’s efforts in revenue generation and enhancing Nigeria’s global reputation.
“The Aviation Ministry, under the leadership of Festus Keyamo, has introduced significant reforms aimed at boosting government revenue and improving our national image. We are committed to increasing the ministry’s funding in this year’s budget proposal,” he affirmed.
Agbese encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful in the New Year, emphasizing that the Federal Government, with the support of the National Assembly, is working diligently to improve the quality of life for citizens as quickly as possible.
