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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has met with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu over the level of implementation of the 2024–2025 Appropriations Act.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Bichi (APC–Kano), said Nigerians remain concerned about the actual delivery of the budget.
He explained that the interface was part of the National Assembly’s constitutional duty to track budget execution and ensure it translates into tangible service delivery.
“We held discussions with the Finance and Budget Ministers. They acknowledged the challenges raised and assured us of their commitment to intensify implementation so that Nigerians will soon begin to see practical outcomes.
“Our members are very concerned, but the ministers promised that before the year ends, visible changes and improvements will be recorded. They gave us that assurance, and we will continue to keep close watch,” Bichi said.
In his presentation, Finance Minister Wale Edun revealed that as of September 2025, about 80 per cent of the 2024 budget had been carried out.
“Implementation overall is at around 80 per cent. The National Assembly extended the 2024 budget until December, which means it is still ongoing. We also reviewed the 2025 budget with particular focus on grassroots initiatives and critical infrastructure such as roads, irrigation, and other projects that have direct impact on the lives of Nigerians,” Edun explained.
He added: “The 2024 budget performance stands at about 80 per cent, with work still progressing until December. We also deliberated on the 2025 fiscal plan to ensure grassroots-based projects and essential infrastructure receive the attention and priority they deserve. The whole discussion was aimed at ensuring the budget is fully and faithfully implemented.”
On possible extra spending, Edun clarified that no supplementary budget proposal for 2025 was under consideration.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, on his part, said the committee acknowledged the achievements recorded so far under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He stressed that lawmakers also appreciated the Executive’s respect for the legislature and the cordial working relationship between both arms of government.
“The National Assembly has backed all the key reform initiatives of this government, including the recent tax reforms, which are already yielding results. Today’s engagement was useful in highlighting areas where further improvement is needed,” Bagudu noted.