Finance Minister Clashes With Reps Panel Over Budget Implementation

It was a rowdy session at the meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations with Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, over the slow pace of implementation of the 2024–2025 Appropriations Act (budget) on Wednesday.

This followed the Finance Minister’s disclosure that only 80% of the 2024 budget had been implemented for nearly two years after that particular Appropriation Act was enacted.

Though the meeting was held behind closed doors, sources there confided in LEADERSHIP that lawmakers were angry that the poor implementation of the budget affected their constituency projects.

According to the sources who pleaded anonymity, revelations at the meeting turned the interface into a shouting match as lawmakers kept the finance minister standing for about five minutes.

They said the angry members who said this ugly development threatened their re-election ,vowed to raise a motion to quash the policy propounded by the finance ministry, which they believed was unfair to them.

“The closed-door meeting was rowdy because lawmakers were angry that the 80% implementation of the 2024 budget affected their constituency projects, which they could use during campaigns for re-election in 2027.

“Some members even vowed to move a motion to summon the minister of finance upon resumption, to table before the House the budget performance, revenue, and expenditure so far, as well as the distribution of expended funds from the budget, ” said. sources.

“Members are hit by this infraction perpetuated by the finance minister, which even the budget and planning minister seems uncomfortable with, because he was unaware of the decision to stop lawmakers’ projects nominated into the budget,” the sources echoed.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Abubakar Bichi (APC, Kano), said lawmakers, like many Nigerians, were increasingly worried about the level of budget execution.

“We have engaged with the Ministers of Finance and Budget; both acknowledged the concerns and assured us of their commitment to work harder so that Nigerians can see visible results from the budget.

“Our members are seriously concerned, and the ministers have promised that Nigerians will witness significant changes and developments before the end of this year. They have given us their word, and we will be monitoring closely,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Finance, Edun, said as of September 2025, about 80 per cent of the 2024 budget had been implemented.

“Overall, implementation is at about 80 per cent. As you know, the National Assembly extended the 2024 budget till December, so it is still running.

“We also reviewed the 2025 budget, focusing on grassroots projects and critical infrastructure such as roads, irrigation, and other facilities that directly impact Nigerians,” Edun said.

The minister added that, “As is customary, we reviewed the budget performance. We looked at 2024. Basically, overall, it’s around 80 per cent. And as you know, the budget for 2024 was extended by the National Assembly until December, so it is still running. It is still a work in progress.

“And likewise, we looked at what is happening in 2025, and we put our heads together to ensure that, particularly, the projects that touch the grassroots, that provide support, resources, and facilities, like irrigation and other infrastructure projects at the grassroots level, are focused on and are given adequate attention and priority. So, the discussion is ongoing, and the budget implementation is faithfully followed.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Bagudu, said the committee recognised and commended the achievements recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that lawmakers particularly appreciated the Executive branch’s respect for the National Assembly and the cordial working relationship between both branches of government.

“The National Assembly has supported all major reform initiatives of this administration, including the recent tax reforms already yielding results. Our engagement today helped to identify areas where improvements are still required,” he noted.