Barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill, the Senate has passed the piece of legislation for second reading.The Red Chamber had earlier debated the 2025 Appropriation Bill after it was mentioned for the first reading focusing on critical issues of security, economic growth, and effective implementation of the N49.7 trillion budget. 
  
Following robust discussions, the bill was passed for a second reading and referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation for detailed legislative scrutiny.
  
During the debate, lawmakers highlighted the importance of security as a prerequisite for achieving the budget’s goals.  Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) emphasised the need to inject more funds into the manufacturing sector and development institutions like the Bank of Industry (BoI) to stimulate economic growth.
  
Similarly, Francis Adefadausi (PDP, Osun East) stressed that the 24 per cent allocation for defence would be ineffective without tackling insecurity. He added that improved security would also boost agricultural productivity.
  
In agreement, Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) stated, “Without security, all items listed will not work, but with security in place, agriculture will enjoy a bumper harvest.”
  
Concerns about regional inclusiveness were also raised. Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) decried the exclusion of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Eastern railway line from the budget and urged its inclusion during the committee review. Other lawmakers flagged the omission of the South South Development Commission and cautioned against fiscal policies that could escalate inflation.
  
Patrick Ndubueze (APC, Imo North) advocated market-determined exchange rates instead of the proposed N1,500 to a dollar peg, a position supported by Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), who called for prudent government spending.
  
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the robust debate and announced the adjournment of plenary for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The lawmakers will reconvene on January 14, 2025, to continue legislative activities.
  
The 2025 ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity’ aims to stabilise the economy, improve education, enhance infrastructure and reduce inflation.
  
Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), while leading the debate, highlighted the budget’s potential to address the country’s economic and infrastructural challenges. The proposal represents a nominal increase of 74.18 per cent from the previous year, though it contracts by 23.22 per cent in dollar terms due to the weakened naira.
  
Key projections include a $75 oil price benchmark, 2.06 million barrels daily production, and N1,500/dollar exchange rate.  Sectoral allocations prioritise defence (N4.91 trillion), infrastructure (N4.06 trillion), education (N3.52 trillion) and debt servicing (N15.81 trillion).
  
Bamidele praised the administration’s focus on stabilising inflation, improving security and boosting industrial output, describing the proposals as a bold step towards economic recovery.  The bill was referred to the Appropriation Committee for further legislative review.