Economy
Disagreement trails Buhari’s N13.08 trillion budget in Senate
Senators on Tuesday made divergent opinions on workability or otherwise of the proposed N13.08 trillion 2021 budget.
While most of the PDP senators who contributed to the debate, picked holes in the budgetary proposals, their APC counterparts said as bad as the situations on ground are, the budgetary proposals can still bring about required recoveries in various sectors of the Nation’s economy as anticipated by President Muhamnadu Buhari who christened the budget as one of ” recovery and resilience”.
First to speak was the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( APC Kebbi North) who veered off by describing those clamouring for restructuring of the country as people seeking for dismemberment of the country before addressing the budgetary proposals and projections.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, we are all witnesses to the cacophony of voices and opinions of some leading members of our society, our compatriots who out of genuine concerns, frustration, sense of entitlement or sheer political bravado, call for the dismemberment of this nation or for public disobedience through which they hope to bring down the government of the day, thereby truncating our hard won democratic journey.
“The constitutional reform process is there in the National Assembly to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians for restructuring and reshaping our federation to make it an inclusive and all-embracing polity.
“We as Senators of the Federal Republic, should not contemplate the dangerous and destabilizing temptations of dismembering our federation.
“We must stand by the honour of our status, our convictions and our oath of office which is to preserve and protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, as a whole.
“We are obliged to place the social and economic challenges we face today in their proper historical perspectives with a view to determining the best course of action for our people and our nation at this point in history”, he said.
Specifically , while the Senate Leader on the budget proposals said:
“It is important to note at the outset, that this proposal is not strange to the leadership of the National Assembly and the Committees of Finance and National Planning. All the parameters were discussed and agreed upon, at least in principle.
“What remains for us is to closely examine the contents and the details in order to sort things out and smoothen the rough edges.
A budget deficit of #5.19 trillion represents 3.64% of GDP and is therefore above the threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
Even though the deficit is covered by N4.28 trillion of new borrowing and funds obtainable from privatization proceeds and multilateral and bilateral sources, it is important for our committees on Finance to raise the matter for the National Assembly to permit this increase, as specified in the extant law, particularly given the special circumstances which made this necessary.
“It is also important to note that a budget deficit of this size requiring more indebtedness is not healthy for the long-term development of the country, but this must be tolerated now because of the challenges of the times”.
The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South), in his own contribution, tore the budget proposals into pieces by saying that the budget is nothing but old news.
“The 2021 Appropriation Bill proposes to spend N13.082 trillion, with expected revenue of N7.886 trillion and a deficit of N5.196 trillion. As with the other budgets over the last few years, it looks impractical and unimplementable.
“The major challenge, as with previous budgets, is with revenue and an overly optimistic revenue target. The 2021 budget hopes that the federal government will be able to generate almost eight trillion naira. If history is anything to go by, this projection looks impossible.
“This overly optimistic position is not new in Nigeria but is part of a continuing pattern of false optimism that has put the federal government’s accounts in the deep red and the country in dire straits.
“To demonstrate this point, the observers needs to look at the performance of previous approved budget revenues and what were achieved as actual revenue.
“In 2016, Nigeria had an approved budget with a revenue of N3.14 trillion. By the end of the year, the total retained revenue was only N2.621 trillion.
“This performance was a 32 percent shortfall according to the budget implementation reports. In 2017, instead of trying to readjust to the reality of a difficult revenue situation, Government of Nigeria repeated the same overly optimistic exercise. The approved budget had a revenue of N5 trillion while actual revenue that year was only N2.37 trillion.
“This performance was a whopping 53 percent shortfall. In 2018, Federal Government of Nigeria repeated the same thing by submitted a budget that expected revenue to jump from N2.37 trillion to N7.165 trillion. By the end of the year, actual revenue was only N3.48 trillion; a 51 percent shortfall. The story was the same in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 the revenue shortfall was 41 percent and so far in 2020 the shortfall is 38 percent.
“Here we are in 2021 and the submitted budget expects revenue to be N7.886 trillion. Based on the half year numbers, Nigeria would be lucky to realise N3.3 trillion in revenue in 2020 by the end of the year. Yet the Executive expects revenue to increase by over 200 percent in 2021.
“When the Executive announces a N13 trillion budget, the ministries and agencies take it as a signal that the largess can continue. A casual look at the Appropriation Bill contains items like SUVs for chief executives and fancy office buildings for agencies who really do not need them.
“All of these things will count as “capital expenditure” without adding much to the productive ability of the economy. At a time when the Executive is on the verge of a serious fiscal crisis some of these proposed spending items are unnecessary.
“The budget betrays a lack of understanding of how modern economies function”.
The trend of disagreements continued when PDP Senators such as Ike Ekweremadu, Gabriel Suswam, Oker Jev etc made their presentations against workability of the budget.
Ekweremadu in particular, tackled the Senate Leader over his comment that proponents of restructuring are seeking for dismemberment of Nigeria .
He said the leader got it wrong and withdrew the statement on his behalf .
But other APC Senators like Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Orji Uzor Kalu, Uba Sani , Adamu Aliero, Ibikunle Amosun etc , expressed hope in the workability of the budgetary proposals .
A total sum of N1.678 trillion, being February 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.
The revenue was shared at the March 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja; chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The meeting was attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
The total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N827.633 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 609.430 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.
According to a communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), total gross revenue of N2.344 trillion was available in the month of February 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N577.097 billion.
The communiqué stated that gross statutory revenue of N1.653 trillion was received for the month of February 2025. This was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion received in the month of January 2025 by N194.664 billion.
Gross revenue of N654.456 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in February 2025. This was lower than the N771.886 billion available in the month of January 2025 by N117.430 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received total sum of N569.656 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N562.195 billion.
The Local Government Councils received total sum of N410.559 billion and a total sum of N136.042 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
On the N827.633 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the State Governments received N185.773 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N609.430 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the State Governments received N304.715 billion and the Local Government Councils received N213.301 billion.
A total sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N17.585 billion and the Local Government Councils received N12.310 billion.
From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the State Governments received N6.560 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
The Augmentation of N178 billion was shared as follows: Federal Government received N93.770 billion, the State Governments received N47.562 billion and the Local Government Councils received N36.668 billion.
In February 2025, Oil and Gas Royalty and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), increased significantly while Value Added Tax (VAT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies recorded decreases.
Economy
Protesters urge president Tinubu to protect Diaspora housing investments along Lagos-Calabar coastal highway
A group under the aegis of Renewed Hope Concern Citizens (RHCC) on Friday staged a peaceful protest, calling for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in protecting housing investments owned by Nigerians in the diaspora along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The protesters gathered in front of the United States Embassy in Abuja, carrying banners with inscriptions such as; Minister of Works, Senator Umahi should revert to the original gazetted alignment as promised. Enough is Enough; Association of Nigerian Diaspora Investors (ANDI) has cried enough, please intervene to save their energy to promote, support, and assist the Renewed Hope Administration; Renewed Hope Concern Citizens want Diaspora Investments to be protected and given adequate attention among others
“As committed stakeholders in the nation’s economic progress, we have consistently supported the government’s vision, particularly in revitalizing Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy sector. While we acknowledge the administration’s positive strides, recent developments have raised concerns about the misalignment of energy policies, particularly regarding the 2006 Gazetted alignment.
“We urgently call on the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to restore the 2006 Gazetted alignment to ensure continued growth and stability in Nigeria’s energy sector,” said Hon. Tayo Agbaje, Chairman of RHCC, while addressing journalists.
The group refuted the Minister’s claim that an underground cable warranted the removal of structures in Okun Ajah, Lagos and outlined several reasons why President Tinubu’s intervention is crucial.
According to them, The 2006 Gazetted alignment has long provided a stable and predictable framework, essential for maintaining investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Diaspora investors contribute significantly to job creation, business growth, and the overall economy, making their protection vital to sustaining these contributions.
“The President should investigate the Minister of Works’ claim about the underground cable allegedly interfering with the 2006 Gazetted plan.
“Restoring the alignment will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to a stable investment climate, boosting foreign investor confidence and attracting much-needed capital for infrastructure development.
“Deviating from established policies creates uncertainty, undermining both current and future foreign investments.
“Maintaining the 2006 Gazetted alignment will signal Nigeria’s dedication to long-term economic stability, further reassuring both local and international investors,” the group stated.
The RHCC reaffirmed its support for the Association of Nigeria in Diaspora Investments (ANDI) in its quest to uphold the 2006 Gazetted alignment plan of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
They urged the government to act swiftly to protect diaspora investors, as this will strengthen Nigeria’s investment future and ensure continued economic success under the Renewed Hope Administration.
Economy
Ogunjimi promises to collaborate with ex-Accountants-General in taking treasury house to greater heights
The newly appointed Accountant General
of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen B. Ogunjimi said he would collaborate and tap from the wealth of experiences of all Former Accountants -General of the Federation to bring the nation treasury to a greater height.
Mr Ogunjimi disclosed this while receiving two Former Accountants-General of the Federation, Dr John Naiyeju and Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo in his office in Abuja.
Speaking earlier, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo suggested the upgrading of the Treasury Academy, Orozo owned by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to a Degree (University) awarding Institute.
Also, Dr. John K. Naiyeju charged the new Accountant-General to carry along everyone and advised him to make staff welfare his priority.
In a related development, the Accountant-General of the Federation expressed his willingness to work with all professional organisation that will bring positive development to the nation, especially, his professional and Academy colleagues of the doctorate class.
Mr Ogunjimi called on his classmates to come up with ideas and suggestions that will enhance the management of the nation’s treasury that will positively affect the economy development.
In his remarks, the Chairman Forum of Doctorate Students, Ibrahim Aliyu said that they were in Treasury House to congratulate one of their own and assured him of their support towards his successful tenure.
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