2025 Budget to be transmitted to President soon – Akpabio

… Reshuffles standing committees

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President has assured that the 2025 budget will be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu as soon as possible, emphasising the Senate’s commitment to ensuring a seamless budgetary process.

Speaking during the Tuesday plenary, Akpabio praised senators for their diligence in scrutinising the budget, noting that their efforts will result in a practical financial plan for Nigeria.

“I congratulate all senators and indeed the National Assembly as a whole for the way and manner you have scrutinised the budget of 2025.

Read also: Senate, Reps to lay 2025 budget reports as N’Assembly resumes

“At the end, we will have a workable document for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Akpabio stated.

He also commended lawmakers for extending the capital provisions of the 2024 budget to June 2025 to prevent government operations from stalling, reiterating that efforts are underway to transmit the 2025 budget to the President promptly.

Akpabio noted, “I also thank you for your foresight in extending the capital provisions of the 2024 budget to June so that government business does not grind to a halt as the constitution allows Mr. President to undertake the current expenses in the 2025 budget even for the next few months up to June this year.

“But we will definitely get the budget across to him as soon as possible.”

In a related development, Akpabio announced a reshuffling of the leadership of some Senate standing committees.

Abdul Ningi has been moved from the Committee on Population to head the Senate Committee on FERMA.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, moving from her previous role as head of the Committee on Local Content.

Garba Maidoki now chairs the Senate Committee on Sports Development following Sumaila Kawu’s appointment as the chairman of Petroleum Upstream (Downstream). Kawu was appointed last year following the death of Ifeanyi Ubah who previously chaired the committee.

Joel Onawakpo was also named the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

Victor Umeh, formerly chairing the Diaspora Committee, now leads the Senate Committee on National Population and National Identity Management Commission.

Additionally, Akpabio confirmed that Babangida Hussaini and Muntari Dandutse will serve as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission.

Orji Kalu and Kenneth Eze will head the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission.

Titus Zam and Isa Jibrin have been appointed to lead the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.

Read also: How lawmakers finalised budget defense with MDAs behind closed doors

Meanwhile, the Senate formally announced the retirement of Magaji Tambawal, the Clerk to the National Assembly, who stepped down on February 2, 2025, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

The outgoing clerk was commended for his contributions to the legislature since 1999.

The new appointments include: Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana as the new Clerk to the National Assembly and Bashir Yero, as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly.

Both appointees, who have served in the legislature for over three decades, have assumed their duties and are expected to bring valuable experience to their new roles, Akpabio noted.