Lawmakers grill Ministers over slow budget rollout amidst economic hardship
Story by Susan Mbamah
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has summoned the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, to explain the slow implementation of the 2024–2025 Appropriations Act.
In a closed-door meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, lawmakers demanded to know why the budget’s impact has not been felt by Nigerians struggling with rising living costs, inflation, and stalled infrastructure projects.
Following the meeting, Committee Chairman Abubakar Bichi stated that the ministers “acknowledged the concerns and assured us of their commitment to work harder so that Nigerians can begin to see visible results from the budget.” He added, “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.”
In his response, Minister of Finance Wale Edun claimed that about 80% of the 2024 budget has been implemented as of September 2025. “As you know, the National Assembly extended the 2024 budget till December, so it is still running,” he said.
Edun also mentioned that the meeting focused on prioritising “grassroots projects and critical infrastructure such as roads, irrigation, and other facilities that directly impact Nigerians.” He clarified that there was no discussion about a supplementary budget for 2025.
Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu described the engagement as constructive, noting that the lawmakers “appreciated the administration’s achievements and its cordial working relationship with the National Assembly.”
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Despite the reassurances, the committee reiterated that Nigerians are looking for tangible results from the budget, particularly in the form of better infrastructure, jobs, and social services.
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