Barring any last-minute changes, the House of Representatives is expected to conclude consideration of the N49.74 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill by January 31, 2025.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Mr Abubakar Kabir Bichi, revealed this after the committee’s inaugural meeting, held yesterday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The Kano-born lawmaker disclosed that House committees would commence the 2025 budget defence session with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) today. He added that reports from the exercise are expected to be harmonised on January 22, 2025.

Bichi explained that the budget defence with MDAs would run until January 17, with the reports likely to be harmonised by January 22. The Appropriations Committee’s report is scheduled to be presented at plenary on January 31.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu presented the N49.74 trillion 2025 Budget (Appropriation Bill) to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2024. The House subsequently passed the budget through a second reading on December 19, 2024, and referred it to the Appropriations Committee, with all Standing Committees serving as sub-committees for further legislative action.

Bichi assured that lawmakers would conduct a thorough budget defence process in the interest of Nigerians. He stated, “We held the inaugural meeting today for the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which, as you know, was presented by the President. By tomorrow, we will commence the budget defence with all the MDAs. The defence process will run until January 17, and we aim to harmonise reports by January 22. God willing, we will lay out the final report by January 31.

“We are committed to thoroughly studying the budget. All committees will scrutinise it to ensure it serves the development needs of Nigerians, focusing on infrastructure and other essential areas. I am confident Nigerians will be pleased with the outcome.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, stated that the 2025 Appropriation Bill is expected to be passed by January 31, 2025, following thorough deliberations and consultations.

This was as the Senate announced it would suspend plenary for two weeks upon resumption on January 14, 2025, as both chambers of the National Assembly begin consideration of the 2025 budget at the committee level.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday, Adeola reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to working diligently within the limited timeframe to ensure the budget’s timely passage. He commended lawmakers for sacrificing part of their holidays to focus on the budget review process.

Adeola provided a timeline for the budget review process, stating that committees would compile reports from January 15 to 18, 2025, after inviting MDAs to defend their budget allocations for personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures. He noted that the Senate would observe two weeks for consultations, reviews, and final adjustments to the budget between January 14 and 28, 2025, with the final report scheduled to be laid before both chambers of the National Assembly on January 31, 2025.

To enhance transparency, Senator Adeola announced plans for a budget retreat scheduled for Thursday this week, which will involve civil society organisations and other stakeholders. He explained that the retreat would provide an opportunity to scrutinise the budget details and gather valuable input.

He stated, “We are committed to delivering a document that works for all Nigerians. The January 31 target is ambitious but realistic, and we will take all necessary steps to meet it.”

ALSO, Adeola revealed that the push to pass critical tax reform bills temporarily distracted the National Assembly from maintaining the January-to-December budget cycle.

However, he assured Nigerians that efforts are underway to meet the January 31, 2025, deadline for the passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill. Responding to concerns about the National Assembly’s inability to sustain the January-to-December budget cycle, Adeola clarified that the timetable for the budget review remains unchanged. He emphasised that lawmakers are committed to fast-tracking deliberations to meet the proposed deadline.

Adeola admitted that legislative attention had been diverted by the tax reform bills, which demanded extensive deliberations and collaboration between the National Assembly and the executive arm.

He explained, “Don’t forget that along the line, the tax reform bills took a lot of our time and focus as we worked to ensure they scaled through. We are pleased that the bills have successfully passed second reading in the Senate and are now before the committee for final review.”

Despite the distraction, he stressed that work resumed in earnest on January 6, 2025, with lawmakers agreeing on joint sittings of both chambers to expedite the process. Acknowledging the challenges posed by the tight timeframe, Adeola expressed confidence that the budget passage deadline is achievable.

“As proposed in the timetable, we recommended a joint sitting of both Senate and House committees to engage with MDAs. This approach ensures that we complete our work swiftly and deliver the budget on time,” he said.

Adeola dismissed concerns that the delay could compromise the government’s fiscal and economic targets, assuring Nigerians that the National Assembly remains aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s policy goals.

“We are working around the clock to ensure that the delay does not derail the set aims and objectives of this administration, especially in driving economic growth and infrastructure development,” he noted.

The senator called for public support and patience as lawmakers work through the final stages of budget deliberations, stressing that the Senate is determined to maintain credibility and efficiency in managing Nigeria’s fiscal policies.

“We might have faced a slight setback, but we are determined not to lose focus. The budget passage by January 31 will allow the government to implement its programmes effectively and on schedule,” he assured.

Adeola urged stakeholders and the public to remain optimistic, emphasising that the process reflects the Senate’s dedication to economic stability and sustainable growth.