Reps Defend Re-enacted 2024, 2025 Appropriation Acts

Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives Hon. Philip Agbese has defended the recent repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts, saying it was driven by the need to align Nigeria’s budgeting framework with global best practices, enhance transparency and ease implementation challenges.

The House on Tuesday passed the 2024 and 2025 reviewed budgets (Appropriation Acts) of N43.56 trillion and N48.31 trillion, respectively.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Agbese said the House took the step to strengthen accountability at all levels of government while reducing the oversight burden that typically trails budget execution.

He said the repeal and re-enactment would help streamline the country’s fiscal process by ensuring a more coherent and predictable funding structure.

“Basically, it is to align the nation’s budgeting system with global and international best practices. It is also to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels, and to lessen the burden of oversight during implementation,” Agbese said.

He noted that the decision would also pave the way for a single national budget cycle after March 31, 2026, a move he described as critical to seamless execution by the executive arm.

Agbese lauded the Hon. Abubakar Bichi-led House Committee on Appropriations for their diligent and prompt work on the re-enactment bill transmitted to the House by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the committee’s swiftness paved the way for the eventual consideration and passage of the bill before the lawmakers proceeded on their Christmas and New Year holidays.

According to him, the work of the committee has further helped in addressing the issue of running multiple budgets in the country.

Agbese said running of multiple budgets would lead to fiscal confusion and dissipation of government’s finances in the execution of multiple projects, leading to poor outcome.

The lawmaker said the abysmally low performance of the 2025 capital budget was due to the running of multiple budgets.

“By adopting a single budget after March 31, 2026, the Executive will be able to execute the budget without much hassle. When there is a single funding system, it becomes easier to manage cash flow and ensure timely releases,” he added.

He commended President Tinubu for providing leadership that supports fiscal reforms, describing the president’s commitment to budget discipline and economic stability as reassuring.