Nigerian lawmakers express concern over President Tinubu’s delay in submitting the 2025 budget proposal, calling for prompt action to ensure timely fiscal planning.
The House of Representatives has expressed disapproval towards the Executive, headed by President Bola Tinubu, for delaying the submission of the 2025 budget proposal to the National Assembly.
The lower chamber noted that the Executive’s non-compliance with Section 11(1)(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 was effectively encroaching on the time needed by the National Assembly to perform its duties as outlined in Section 88(2)(b).
The legislators urged the Executive to adhere to Section 11(1)(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.
They additionally instructed the committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation, and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.
The House made its decision after adopting a motion of urgent public importance, which was proposed by Clement Jimbo during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Presenting the motion, Jimbo stated that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 allows for prudent management of national resources and ensures long-term macroeconomic stability.
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He mentioned that this also enhances accountability and transparency in fiscal operations by implementing a medium-term fiscal policy framework. Additionally, it involves establishing the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to promote and enforce national economic objectives and address related issues.
Jimbo highlighted that Section 11(1)(b) requires the Federal Government to ensure that the MTEF for the upcoming three financial years is prepared and presented to the National Assembly no later than four months before the start of the next financial year.
He pointed out that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, along with Section 30(1) of the FRA 2007—specifically Section 88(1)—grant each House of the National Assembly the authority to initiate investigations via resolutions. This is subject to other provisions in the constitution and includes inquiries into any matter over which they have legislative power, as well as examining how laws enacted by them are being implemented or administered by individuals, authorities, ministries, or government departments responsible for executing those laws and handling funds allocated by them.
The House decided to “Encourage the Executive to adhere to section 11(1)(b) and promptly present the 2025 Budget Proposal to the National Assembly without any further delays.”
