In a shocking revelation that underscores deep-rooted fiscal inefficiencies and political maneuvering, BudgIT, a leading civic tech organization, has uncovered that the National Assembly inserted a staggering 11,122 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 federal budget. This disclosure has sparked a wave of public concern over the integrity of Nigeria’s budgeting process and the prioritization of national resources.
According to BudgIT’s analysis, many of the projects inserted into the budget lack basic justification and are not aligned with Nigeria’s pressing developmental needs. The organization warns that these insertions not only divert critical funds from essential services but also open the floodgates for fiscal abuse, patronage, and political compensation.
Among the most alarming revelations are 238 individual projects, each costing over N5 billion, suggesting the potential for bloated contracts and rent-seeking. Even more troubling is the allocation of N393.29 billion to 1,477 streetlight projects scattered across various constituencies—an initiative many critics argue has limited impact on real development outcomes.
BudgIT also flagged the allocation of N6.74 billion for the “empowerment of traditional rulers,” a vague and loosely defined expenditure line that raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the misuse of public funds for political ends.
The civic organization called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent steps to reform the budgeting system. It emphasized the need to realign expenditure with the national development plan and prevent the National Assembly from undermining executive planning with arbitrary and politically motivated insertions.
“This level of budgetary distortion is unsustainable and damaging to Nigeria’s economic future,” BudgIT said in a statement. “We urge the Presidency to reassert control over public finance by promoting transparency and ensuring that every naira spent is tied to a clear developmental objective.”
As the country grapples with economic hardship, rising debt, and growing public discontent, observers say this latest revelation serves as a critical reminder that budget discipline and national planning cannot be sacrificed on the altar of politics.