Reps meet finance, budget ministers over 2024–2025 budget implementation

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Wednesday met with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu to review the implementation of the 2024–2025 Appropriations Act.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abubakar Bichi (APC–Kano), who briefed journalists after the closed-door session in Abuja said Nigerians were increasingly concerned about the pace of budget execution, stressing that parliament has a constitutional responsibility to monitor performance and ensure service delivery.

“We have engaged with the Ministers of Finance and Budget; both acknowledged the concerns and assured us of their commitment to work harder so that Nigerians can begin to see visible results from the budget. Our members are seriously concerned, and the ministers have promised that before the end of this year, Nigerians will witness significant changes and developments. They have given us their word, and we will be monitoring closely,” Bichi said.

The Minister of Finance disclosed that about 80 per cent of the 2024 budget had already been executed as of September 2025.

“Overall, implementation is at about 80 per cent. As you know, the National Assembly extended the 2024 budget till December, so it is still running. We also reviewed the 2025 budget, focusing on grassroots projects and critical infrastructure such as roads, irrigation, and other facilities that directly impact Nigerians,” Edun explained.

He noted that discussions were centered on faithful and full implementation of the budget, adding that there was no consideration of a supplementary budget for 2025.

On his part, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said the committee commended the achievements recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Executive’s cordial relationship with the National Assembly.

He pointed out that parliament had supported all major reform initiatives of the government, including the recent tax reforms, which were already yielding results.

“Our engagement today helped to identify areas where improvements are still required,” he added.