The National Assembly has rapidly approved a N2.17 trillion supplementary budget to address immediate concerns in Nigeria.
Senate Deputy Chairman Ali Ndume explained that this action was necessary to ensure timely wage payments, provide funds for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigeria Police Force preparations for off-cycle elections on November 11, and address rising fuel, essential service, and food prices following the fuel subsidy withdrawal.
He highlighted the need to implement an agreement to pay workers N35,000 in addition to their minimum wage.
Furthermore, N18 billion was allocated for INEC's off-cycle elections, and N5.5 billion was earmarked for a student loan scheme. Members decided to increase the student loan budget to N10 billion and exclude a N5 billion allocation for a presidential yacht that had sparked public outcry.
It was clarified that the yacht was not meant for the president and the Navy had requested the platform. President Tinubu has not yet signed the supplementary budget into law.
