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NASS Passes N7.44trn 2017 Budget
The National Assembly, yesterday, passed the long awaited 2017 Appropriation Bill of N7.441trillion as the lawmakers increased the general budget figure by N3billion.
The National Assembly has also released a breakdown of its 2017 Budget of N125billion, with additional N10 billion to NASS’ 2016 Budget of N115billion.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in December, 2016 presented a budget of N7.289 trillion to the National Assembly but the lawmakers increased the figures to N7.441trillion, indicating about N143billion increase.
Details of the N143 billion increase in the budget figures shows that the National Assembly increased the budgetary allocation of the Amnesty programme (Niger Delta Development Commission) by N10billion while the lawmakers also hiked its own budget by N10billion.
The National Assembly also through the additional allocations in the budget initiated the commencement and completion of the second Abuja airport runway which was not initially in the budget at the cost N10billion, while it also enlarged the budget for road project construction across the country by N25billion.
The budget figures for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also received more funds as presented by the executive while the lawmakers in this budget initiated the renovation of the Abeokuta Airport construction of the Warri-Aladja railway line, among others.
Details of the budget indicates that out of the N7.441,175,486,758 trillion passed by the National Assembly, N2,177,866,775,867 trillion is for capital projects, while N434,412,950,249 billion is for statutory transfer.
Also, the sum of N1,841,345,727,206 trillion is for debt services, while N177,460,296,707 billion is for sinking fund, just as N2.987,550,033,436 is for recurrent (non debt) expenditure.
The statutory transfer is broken down in the budget by which N100 billion is allocated to the National Judicial Council (NJC), while N64,023,554,666 billion is allocated to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Similarly, N95,189,395,583 billion was allocated to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), while National Assembly allocated to itself the sum of N125 billion, even as the public complaint commission got N4 billion.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) got N45billion, the National Human Rights Commission got N1,2000,000,000 billion.
The lawmakers budgeted N1,488,002,436,547 trillion is for domestic debt services, while N175,882,993,952 is for foreign debt services, making a total of N1,663,885,430,499.
On the personnel aspect of the recurrent expenditure, the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation was allocated N 2,693,253,521 billion, while Ministry of Budget and National Planning was allocated N8,843,198,998 billion, and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was allocated N31,752,144,051 billion for personnel expenditure.
Also, the Ministry of Defence was allocated N330,543,309,223 billion, while the Federal Ministry of Education got an allocation of N398,686,819,418 billion, even as the Federal Ministry of Environment was allocated N16,108,983,841billion for personnel expenditure.
The Federal Ministry of Finance was allocated N9,521,555,393 billion, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was allocated N56,424,094,037billion, and the Federal Ministry of Health was allocated N252,854,396,662billion, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment got N10,797,165,779 billion for personnel expenditure.
Also, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture was allocated N40,821,093,321billion, while Federal Ministry of Interior was allocated N472,597,817,561billion, and the Federal Ministry of Justice got N21,038,344,711billion, even as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment got N8,626,186,611billion for personnel expenditure.
The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development got N10,385,055,182 billion, Federal Ministry of Niger Delta got N1,764,382,365 billion, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources got N63,222,101,051billion, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology got N27,785,074,208 billion, the Federal Ministry of Transportation got N14,810,103,581billion for personnel expenditure.
In the same vein, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources was allocated N7,301,176,944 billion, while the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs was allocated N1,466,534,201billion, and the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing got N32,821,929,055billion, and the
Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development got N89,316,015,167billion for personnel expenditure.
While the Fiscal Responsibility Commission was allocated N332,848,038billion, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) got N5,159,640,131billion, and the Infrastructure Concessionary and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) got N884,624,464billion, and the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology got N11,192,782,734billion, just as the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission was allocated N631,503,868 billion for personnel expenditure.
Also, the Office of the National Security Adviser got N76,281,025,653billion, while the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was allocated N6,652,280,969billion, and the State House was allocated N22,947,666,215 and the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) got N51,933,366,906billion for personnel expenditure.
In the Capital Supplementation, a total Allocation of N310,037,229,460 billion was approved, of which the GIFMIS/IPPIS Capital budget is N5billion, while OSSAP- SDGs (Special Projects) got N9billion, and OSSAP-SDGs (Conditional Grants) is N10billion, just as OSSAP-SDGs (Social Safety Nets) is N15,902,000,000 billion, Capital Exigencies/Adjustment to Capital Cost N5billion.
The National Development Plans (Ministry of Budget and National Planning)N 1,000,000,000, Head of Service (Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board) 1,000,000,000, Zonal Intervention Projects N100,000,000,000, North-East Intervention Fund N45,000,000,000, Counterpart Funding Including Global Fund/Health 3,500,000,000.
Also, the Payment of Local Contractors’ Debts/Other Liabilities had N20,000,000,000, Galaxy Backbone had N4,000,000,000 Contingency (Capital) N10,000,000,000, Recapitalisation of Development Finance Institutions N15,000,000,000.
Subscriptions to Shares in International Organisations N28,635,229,460, SDG: Special Intervention Project N1 12,000,000,000, SDG: Special Intervention Project N2 8,000,000,000, Facilities and Technical Services N14,500,000,000.
Implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and Establishment of Delivery Unit at the Presidency hot N2,500,000,000, while the total Capital Supplementation is N310,037,229,460, and the Capital in FGN Special Intervention Programme is N150,000,000,000.
Just before the passage of the bill, the Lawmakers commended the committee and the entire red chamber for coming up with a detailed Appropriation Bill; the first of it’s kind since 1999.
Speaking earlier on the generality of the Budget, Senate Minority leader Godswill Akpabio commended the senate for doing a thorough job.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.
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