BudgIT Raises Red Flags in 2025 Federal Budget, Admonishes National Assembly on patriotism in consideration of document

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BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation advocating for transparency and accountability in Nigeria, has spotted what it termed “significant irregularities” in the 2025 Federal Government proposed budget. The group consequently called on the National Assembly to conduct a transparent and inclusive review process, to ensure that the budget aligned with national priorities to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and support vulnerable populations.
The organisation faulted the budget’s “unrealistic macroeconomic assumptions”, particularly the projected inflation rate of 15% for 2025, which it noted contrasted starkly with the 34.6% inflation recorded in November 2024. BudgIT warned that inflationary pressures, driven by rising food and energy costs, “lacks a clear governmental roadmap for resolution”, adding, while the proposed oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel appeared feasible, it advised against increasing it, “a practice that has historically undermined fiscal discipline”.
BudgIT, is particularly alarmed over the exclusion of funding for critical infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, warning that the absence of such allocations could lead to resource diversions from other essential initiatives, thereby further eroding the budget’s credibility.
BudgIT is also miffed about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement of enhanced retirement packages for military generals, which included luxury perks like bulletproof SUVs and fully funded foreign medical treatments, which it contended is contradictory to his earlier promises to reduce governance costs. The organisation expressed worry that they could exacerbate fiscal deficits and demoralise lower-ranking military personnel.
These red flags were raised in a statement signed by Nancy Odimegwu, Communications Associate at BudgIT, in which it flagged significant irregularities in the 2025 Federal Government proposed budget.
The group therefore called on the National Assembly to conduct a transparent and inclusive review process, ensuring the budget aligned with national priorities to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and support vulnerable populations.
BudgIT noted that over recent years, it had “consistently highlighted the issue of budgetary insertions by the National Assembly. In 2024 alone, 7,447 projects worth ₦2.24 trillion were added, often without proper planning or alignment with the nation’s developmental agenda”.
It stressed the need for legislators to exercise their constitutional “Powers of the Purse” responsibly, ensuring resource efficiency and avoiding wasteful expenditures.
Transparency lapses in the 2025 budget were also identified, “with omissions of detailed allocations for major government-owned enterprises, including the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service. Additionally, over ₦2.49 trillion allocated to regional development commissions was categorised under personnel costs, raising concerns about accountability and the effective use of these funds”.
BudgIT advised that as the National Assembly prepared to review the proposed budget, the lawmakers needed to place national interest above personal or parochial considerations, emphasising the importance of creating a budget that promotes macroeconomic stability, equitably distributes resources, and addresses the needs of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility and advocating for a budget that truly reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.