2025 Budget: Reps ask Tinubu to urgently submit MTEF

The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to urgently transmit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of Urgent Public Importance on “Ensuring long-term macroeconomic stability of the national economy,” moved by Mr. Clement Jimbo.

Leading the debate on the motion, Mr. Jimbo said that if the MTEF is quickly submitted to the National Assembly, it will give members enough time to work on the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Mr. Jimbo stated that Section 11(1)(b) stipulates that the Federal Government must submit the MTEF not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year and lay it before the National Assembly.

He further explained that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 30(1) of the FRA 2007, specifically Section 88(1), give both Chambers of the National Assembly the power to investigate any arm or agency of government that fails to comply with laws enacted by the National Assembly in disbursing and administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated.

The House, concerned about the delays caused by non-compliance from arms of government and agencies, urged the executive to comply with Section 11(1)(b) and submit the 2025 Budget proposal to the National Assembly without further delays to enable the House to carry out its functions as enshrined in Section 88(2)(b).

He expressed concern that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, along with Section 30(1) of the FRA 2007—particularly Section 88(1)—stipulate that, subject to other provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

He said, “Each House of the National Assembly shall have the power, by passing resolutions, to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws, and into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, or ministry of government department charged or intended to be charged with the duty or responsibility of executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly and for disbursing or administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”

According to him, the time required by the National Assembly to perform its functions as outlined in Section 88(2)(b) is being technically eroded by the executive’s non-compliance with Section 11(1)(b) of the FRA 2007.

In his contribution, Billy Osawaru said the delayed submission of annual budget proposals is one of the ways ministries, departments, and agencies of government shortchange Nigerians.

“If it takes four months to go through budget estimates, it should be four months,” he said.

Also contributing, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda expressed support for the motion, noting that unless budget estimates arrive in parliament on time, it will be difficult for legislators to scrutinize them in the interest of Nigerians.

“This government prides itself on adherence to the January-December budget cycle. It is a good development,” he said.

Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session, urged the Federal Government to comply with Section 11(1)(b) and submit the 2025 Budget proposal to the National Assembly without further delays.

The House also mandated the Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation, and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.