The North East Cooperative Stakeholders Forum has expressed concern over the sharp rise in Nigeria’s 2025 federal budget, which has surged from ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion, calling for greater transparency in government spending and borrowing.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Forum’s chairman, Jalo Abdullahi, questioned the rationale behind the budget hike, stating that neither the executive nor legislative arms have provided clear explanations for the increase.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu initially presented a ₦47.9 trillion ($36.4 billion) budget to the National Assembly on January 24, 2025, already a significant jump from the ₦27.5 trillion budget of 2024. However, the subsequent adjustment to ₦54.2 trillion has sparked public scrutiny.
Abdullahi emphasized the need for Nigerians to demand accountability, particularly regarding sectoral allocations and the justification for the expansion. He also raised concerns over the implementation of the 2024 budget, pointing out that many projects remained unexecuted due to insufficient foreign reserves.
While the Forum clarified that it is not opposing the budget increase, it insists on assurances that the additional funds and rising debts will be utilized effectively and in the best interest of Nigerians.
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