Allegations of ?6.9 Trillion Budget Padding Spark Controversy in Nigeria's National Assembly

A significant controversy has emerged over Nigeria's 2025 federal budget, with allegations of budget padding amounting to ?6.9 trillion, raising serious concerns about fiscal transparency and governance.

Allegations of Budget Padding

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed alarm over questionable allocations in the ?54.99 trillion 2025 budget, including funds designated for defunct ministries such as the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Ministry of Sports. CISLAC's Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, criticized these allocations as indicative of inadequate needs assessment and a disregard for accountability. He also condemned the recurrent practice of legislators exploiting the budget process to allocate resources for constituency projects lacking a legal framework for monitoring and accountability.

In a separate incident, a ?5 billion budget padding scandal was uncovered at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Documents revealed that this sum was inserted into NAHCON’s 2025 budget under a vague line item titled “Hajj Support Programme,” with indications that the funds were to be shared between NAHCON officials and Senate committee members.

Legislative Response and Controversy

The Senate has faced internal turmoil over these allegations. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP – Bauchi Central) was suspended for three months after claiming that ?3.7 trillion was padded in the 2024 budget. His allegations led to heated debates, with some senators accusing him of attempting to destabilize the Senate.

Further investigations by civic organizations like BudgIT have revealed that the National Assembly inserted a total of 7,447 projects totaling ?2.24 trillion in the 2024 budget, many of which were constituency-like projects lacking proper oversight.

Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability

The alleged budget padding has sparked widespread public outrage. Citizens and civil society organizations have called for thorough investigations and accountability. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) described any proven case of unconstitutional and illegal acts by the National Assembly hierarchy of budget padding as "political terrorism" and urged for a thorough investigation.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also weighed in, describing the alleged budget padding as a grave concern and a breach of public trust. He emphasized the need for full accountability of all public funds.

 The unfolding budget padding scandal has highlighted significant issues within Nigeria's legislative budgeting process, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the effective allocation of public funds. As investigations continue, there is a growing demand for reforms to ensure that the national budget truly reflects the needs and priorities of the Nigerian people.