The House of Representatives is set to commence the 2025 budget defence session with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Bichi, announced that the harmonisation of reports will take place on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The Committee is expected to present its report during a special session scheduled for January 31.
This announcement was made by Bichi during an interview with journalists after the committee’s inaugural meeting on Monday.
The 2025 Appropriation Bill, amounting to N49.74 trillion, was presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on December 18, 2024.
The proposed budget was passed by the House on December 19, 2024, following a second reading. It was then referred to the Appropriations Committee and all Standing Committees as sub-committees for further legislative input.
Bichi assured the public that the budget defence process would be conducted in their best interest, affirming, “We just inaugurated the committee today for the 2025 Appropriation Bill. The President has submitted the budget, and starting tomorrow, January 7, we will begin the budget defence with all MDAs.”
Budget defence sessions are scheduled from January 7 to January 17, with the harmonisation process set for January 22. The final report is expected to be presented by January 31.
“We will carefully review the budget proposal. All our committees will scrutinise it. I believe the budget is for the benefit of Nigerians, focusing on our development – infrastructure and other crucial aspects, and I am confident Nigerians will be pleased with it,” stated Bichi.
He reiterated the parliament’s dedication to thoroughly examining the proposed budgetary allocations, revenues, and other significant components of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.