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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has drawn a clear line on the 2025 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), vowing that the proposed N1.75 trillion allocation will be subjected to rigorous scrutiny to ensure accountability, value for money, and tangible development outcomes for communities in the Niger Delta.
The Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, stated this on Tuesday during the budget defence session of the Commission at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to the lawmaker, every item in the 2025 budget must be purposeful, people-centred, and aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the NDDC budget remains the primary instrument through which the Federal Government delivers development to the Niger Delta region.
Welcoming members of the Committee, the management of the Commission, and representatives of the media, the lawmaker said the expectations of Niger Delta communities must be reflected in the budget.
“The importance of the NDDC budget cannot be over-emphasised. For the people of the Niger Delta, this budget represents hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better quality of life,” she said.
He explained that the Committee’s role goes beyond the mere approval of figures, stressing that lawmakers would thoroughly interrogate the proposal to ensure that allocations translate into measurable outcomes in infrastructure development, human capacity building, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.
Ibori-Suenu added that while the House Committee would continue to support the Commission, it would insist on accountability, transparency, and value for money in the execution of projects and programmes.
“The 2025 NDDC Budget must clearly address longstanding developmental gaps, promote sustainable growth, and ensure that no community is left behind,” she said, while wishing participants a prosperous New Year.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, presented the Commission’s 2025 budget estimates, which he described as a “Budget of Consolidation” designed to strengthen the foundation for sustainable economic growth in the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, as well as to the Supervising Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, and the National Assembly for their continued support.
He said the current management had deliberately shifted the Commission from a transactional to a transformational development approach, with interventions spanning youth training, entrepreneurship support, infrastructure development, and economic empowerment.
Providing an overview of the 2024 budget performance, the Managing Director disclosed that an aggregate revenue of N1.911 trillion was projected to fund the 2024 “Budget of Renewed Hope,” comprising N76.77 billion for overhead costs and N1.820 trillion for capital expenditure.
“As of October 31, 2025, the Commission’s actual revenue stood at N1.945 trillion, exceeding the projected target, largely due to the extension of the 2024 budget implementation period to December 31, 2025,” he explained.
For 2025, Ogbuku said the Commission is proposing a total budget of N1.75 trillion, representing a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 figure, driven by a no-borrowing fiscal approach.
He disclosed that personnel costs for 2025 are estimated at N47.5 billion, while overhead costs are projected at N96.4 billion, adding that the management would sustain reforms aimed at cost efficiency and performance-based spending.
On capital expenditure, the NDDC boss said the Commission would prioritise critical infrastructure and adopt Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to drive sustainable development across the region.
“We have moved away from line-item budgeting to sectoral allocation of funds to encourage efficiency, project continuity, and contractor confidence,” Ogbuku said, adding that only activities tied to measurable programmes would receive approval.
He assured lawmakers of the Commission’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the 10th National Assembly to deliver inclusive growth and improve the welfare of Niger Delta communities.
“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this Committee the 2025 Budget Proposals of the Niger Delta Development Commission,” he concluded.