The 2025 Nigerian budget allocates ₦9.4 billion for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima's travel and refreshments. Critics highlight the high expenses amid economic challenges, while supporters defend them as necessary for governance. The ₦49.7 trillion budget awaits legislative adjustments following its second reading in the National Assembly.
Nigeria's proposed 2025 budget, presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sparked public debate following the presidency's allocation of ₦9.4 billion for travel and refreshments. The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace and Building Prosperity, was unveiled to the National Assembly on Wednesday, totaling ₦49.7 trillion.
Detailed analysis shows that President Tinubu's expenses for international and local trips are set at ₦6.14 billion and ₦873.9 million, respectively. An additional ₦431.6 million has been earmarked for refreshments, meals, and catering supplies. Vice President Kashim Shettima’s budget includes ₦1.31 billion for international travel, ₦417.5 million for local trips, and ₦186 million for refreshments.
The revelation follows a similar trend of high expenditures. In early 2024, the presidency reportedly spent over ₦5.24 billion on travel in just three months, as tracked by the civic tech platform GovSpend.
The budget also proposes over ₦10.6 billion for vehicles, honorarium, and infrastructure. This includes ₦4.76 billion for State House operational vehicles and SUVs and ₦1.83 billion for constructing offices for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.
The budget has passed its second reading in the Senate and House of Representatives. The debate now moves to the Committee on Appropriations for further scrutiny. The National Assembly also approved an extension of the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 2025.
Given Nigeria's economic challenges, critics argue that the allocations reflect misaligned priorities. Proponents, however, defend the expenditures as essential for governance. The debate continues as Nigerians await legislative adjustments to the proposed budget.
