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NASS Jerks Up Budget, Okays N8.916trn …Approves N160bn For Minimum Wage, Others …Transmits Appropriation Bill To Buhari, ’Morrow
The National Assembly, yesterday, passed the 2019 Appropriation Bill of N8.916trillion, jerking up President Muhammadu Buhari’s earlier proposal to accommodate some extra funding for special projects.
The budget as passed indicates an increase of N90billion to the Appropriation Bill sum submitted on December 19, 2018.
According to separate reports presented by Chairmen of Appropriation Committees at both chambers, the N90billion increase in the budget profile would take care of N10billion intervention fund for victims of Zamfara crisis, N23.678 billion added as severance gratuity for outgoing federal lawmakers and their legislative aides, and about N66billion additional vote for the various security agencies for more potent war against all forms of crimes in the land.
Specifically, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central), explained that the N23.678billion severance package for outgoing legislators also included induction programme/inauguration of the 9th Assembly.
Goje also explained further that to ensure the immediate implementation of the just approved N30,000 minimum wage for public servants, the N160billion proposed as service wide votes was appropriated under the public service wage adjustment for Ministries , Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
However, as recommended by the committees and approved by both chambers, all the parameters on which the budget estimates are based remain as proposed by the executive arm.
The parameters are $60 per barrel oil price benchmark, 2.3million barrel per day production level, and N350 to one US dollar as exchange rate.
Major highlights of the N8.916trillion 2019 budget passed by the National Assembly are N502.058billion for Statutory Transfers, N500billion for Special Intervention and N4.055trillion for recurrent expenditure.
Others are N2.094trillion for capital expenditure, N1.908trillion as fiscal deficit within the ambit of 1.37 per cent deficit to GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
Within the service-wide allocation in the approved budget, N65billion was appropriated for Presidential Amnesty Programme on reintegration of transformed ex-militants, N5billion earmarked for payment of outstanding death benefit to civil servants and police personnel, while N15billion was approved as additional support for universities.
Within the capital expenditure component of the budget, N394.906billion is earmarked for the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, N107.218billion for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, N159.125billion for Ministry of Defence, and N92.178bn for Ministry of Water Resources.
Others are, N58.689bn for Ministry of Education, N179.384bn for Ministry of Transportation, and N53.678billion for Ministry of Interior, among others.
However, in the recurrent expenditure component of the budget, the Ministry of Interior has the highest appropriated votes of N564.222billion, followed by Ministry of Education with N463.395billion.
In his remarks after passing the Appropriation Bill for third reading, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki said: “With passage of this bill for third reading today, the Executive must ensure full implementation of the budget, sector-by-sector for the benefit and well-being of Nigerians”.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly yesterday approved N160bn for the payment of the new minimum wage for federal workers and payment of severance benefits.
The decision followed the unanimous endorsement of the 2019 Budget presentation by the lawmakers at separate plenaries which held simultaneously in both houses and presided over by Senate President BukolaSaraki and Speaker YakubuDogara at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had, on December 19, 2018, presented the 2019 Budget proposal of N8.83trn before the joint session of the National Assembly.
However, the Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday passed the 2019 Appropriation Bill, jacking it up from N8.83trn to N8.92trn with a N90bn increase.
Under other service-wide votes, item 90 of the Report of the Senate Committee on Appropriation on the 2019 Budget Bill, which reads: “public service wage adjustment for MDAs (including arrears of promotion and salary increases) and payment of severance benefits” has N160bnn as its budget.
Also, item 88 that reads: “payment of outstanding death benefit to civil servants/Police” has N5bn for the budget.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, while addressing newsmen shortly after the budget passage, affirmed that the N160 billion was to fund the minimum wage increase and severance benefits as stipulated in item 90 of the report.
Goje, however, stated that if the amount budgeted failed to meet the demand, the Federal Government could present a supplementary budget to cover the shortfall.
Our correspondent reports that the National Minimum Wage Bill, which was passed by the lower and upper house on January 29 and March 19 respectively, was signed into law by President Buhari on April 18.
The National Assembly, after a short break, resumed to pass the votes and proceedings of the day, and adjourned to Tuesday, May 6, 2019.
Meantime, the House of Representatives, yesterday, said the National Assembly would transmit the approved 2019 Budget of N8.916trillion to President Muhammadu Buhari, tomorrow.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Mustapha Dawaki, made this known while briefing newsmen after plenary in Abuja.
Dawaki explained that the increase in total budget from N8.83trillion was due to the inclusion of funds for “special interventions’’ made by the National Assembly.
He said that the interventions included the provision of N24.6billion as severance allowance for outgoing lawmakers and N10billion for Zamfara terrorism.
He said that the Christmas break and the general elections accounted for the delay in the passage of the budget.
“The President laid this budget on December 19, 2018, but certain extraneous forces such as the Christmas and New Year breaks also affected quick passage of the Appropriation Bill.
“And, don’t forget that we had to go on break to fully participate in the February polls; all these were distractions that really affected the passage of the Appropriation Bill.
“Hopefully, by Thursday, the budget will be transmitted to the president for his assent.
“We left the oil benchmark and exchange rate as sent by the Executive, except for the deficit which we adjusted,’’ Dawaki said.
Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, directed its Committee on Youth and Sports to investigate the alleged illegal appointment of a new Director-General for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
It was also said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai unilaterally made the alleged unconstitutional but controversial appointment.
This development was sequel to an adopted order 42 and 52 Senate Rule moved by Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West.
Melaye, in presenting his motion, said it was unconstitutional for Buratai to have made the said appointment as it was in breach of the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
In his words, “I’m bringing to the notice of the Senate an infringement in the appointment of a new Director-General of NYSC.
“It was said that the Chief of Army Staff made a new appointment of NYSC Director-General in replacement of the former DG.
“This is unconstitutional as it is only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has the right as provided by the constitution to do so.
“The NYSC Act Section 5 reads, “There shall be a Director-General for the National Youth Service Corps to be appointed by the President.
“But Buratai through a signal removed and appointed a new NYSC DG.
“We should not allow this, Mr. President. Otherwise, we should not be surprised to wake up one morning to hear that DG, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been removed and appointed a new Senate President”.
However, Senator Bassey Akpan seconded the motion while it was put to a voice vote by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki that resulted in the unanimous resolution to refer the matter to its committee to investigate and report back next Wednesday for further legislative action.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”