Adejoh Bilkisu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to adjust the 2025 national budget from ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion, citing constitutional and legislative breaches.
In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the organization expressed concern that the proposed adjustment bypasses constitutional requirements. Citing Section 81(4) of the 1999 Constitution, CISLAC noted that any additional expenditure must be presented to the National Assembly as a supplementary estimate. Instead, the executive reportedly informed lawmakers through a letter, a move the organization deems procedurally flawed and unconstitutional.
CISLAC argues that the budget increase, though attributed to additional revenues from government agencies, should have been properly introduced through a supplementary appropriation bill. The organization warns that sidestepping due process undermines the sanctity of the budgetary system and could set a dangerous precedent for fiscal governance.
The cited additional revenues were not sudden; failing to account for them in the initial budget highlights poor fiscal foresight,” the statement read.
Furthermore, CISLAC criticized the lack of prior consultation with National Assembly leadership, asserting that the executive’s unilateral approach erodes the principle of checks and balances and sidelines the legislature’s constitutional role in fiscal oversight.
Highlighting Nigeria’s mounting debt crisis, CISLAC pointed out that the 2025 budget allocates ₦16.32 trillion for debt servicing, a sharp rise from ₦712 billion in 2014. The organization warned that despite accumulating debt, several government projects—such as the Kaduna-Abuja Highway—remain incomplete or abandoned.
To address fiscal concerns, CISLAC recommended prioritizing internally generated revenue (IGR) over loans, advocating for smaller, realistic projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens rather than ballooning Nigeria’s debt burden.
Concerns Over Wasteful Allocations
CISLAC also raised red flags over budgetary allocations to non-existent or defunct agencies, warning that such practices waste public funds and compromise the integrity of the budget process. The organization called for rigorous scrutiny of all budgetary provisions to ensure they align with national priorities.
“The National Assembly holds a constitutional mandate to oversee and approve federal expenditures. Lawmakers must rigorously exercise their authority in this matter,” CISLAC urged.
While expressing support for national development and economic growth initiatives, CISLAC emphasized that all fiscal decisions must adhere to constitutional legality, transparency, and responsible governance.
Given the unprecedented nature of running two concurrent budgets, CISLAC strongly advised the executive to reconsider its approach and strictly adhere to constitutional provisions. It also called on lawmakers to assert their oversight role and ensure transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in budgetary adjustments.
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a transparent, accountable, and participatory governance framework in Nigeria.
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