A former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has questioned the National Assembly and the Presidency over ₦6.93 trillion reportedly added to the 2025 national budget.
According to a civic and transparency group, BudgIT, 11,122 projects were inserted into the budget by the 10th National Assembly. The group raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding these allocations.
BudgIT’s analysis showed that 238 of the inserted projects were each worth more than ₦5 billion. These alone make up ₦2 trillion of the total figure.
The group also discovered that 984 projects worth ₦1.71 trillion were included without clear justification. Another 1,119 projects, valued between ₦500 million and ₦1 billion, amount to ₦641.38 billion.
Projects Tied to Constituencies and Senate Districts
BudgIT reported that 3,573 projects worth ₦653.19 billion were directly linked to federal constituencies. Additionally, 1,972 projects valued at ₦444.04 billion were attached to senatorial districts.
These projects raise questions about whether they align with national development goals or are just means of political favouritism.
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed reacted to BudgIT’s findings via his social media handle. He called on the federal government and the National Assembly to explain the alleged budget padding.
“NASS and the Presidency should sue BudgIT for reporting the insertion of trillions into the 2025 budget if its claim amounts to falsehood,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He added, “The alternative suggests accepting the genuineness of the published findings. In any case, govt owes Nigerians an explanation.”
So far, neither the National Assembly nor the Presidency has made an official response to BudgIT’s report.
Citizens and civil society groups are also calling for an independent investigation into the matter. Many Nigerians online have described the report as worrying and are asking for answers too.
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