…reduces allocations for Presidency, Education, others

By Henry Umoru and Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja

The National Assembly on Tuesday amended the recently passed N54.9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill, making key adjustments to the allocation of funds between recurrent and capital expenditures.

The amendment followed a motion moved on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives during plenary in Abuja.

Specifically, both chambers reallocated ₦500 billion from capital to recurrent expenditure.

According to the revised budget, the total appropriation remains ₦54.99 trillion, with statutory transfers at ₦3.64 trillion and debt service at ₦14.31 trillion.

However, recurrent (non-debt) expenditure increased from ₦13.06 trillion to ₦13.58 trillion, while capital expenditure was reduced from ₦23.96 trillion to ₦23.43 trillion.

Citing Orders 1(B) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders (2023, as amended), the Senate resolved to rescind its earlier decision on the affected line items, revising and recommitting the bill to the Committee of Supply for reconsideration and final passage.

Ministry of Defence – Reduced from ₦2.51 trillion to ₦2.49 trillion.

Ministry of Police Affairs – Adjusted from ₦1.225 trillion to ₦1.224 trillion.

Pensions, Gratuities, and Retirement Benefits – Increased from ₦950 billion to ₦1.44 trillion.

Military Pensions and Gratuities – Raised from ₦252.6 billion to ₦383.9 billion.

National Pension Commission (PENCOM) – Increased from ₦529.4 billion to ₦804.7 billion.

Budget Cuts to Key Ministries

Presidency – Reduced from ₦144.4 billion to ₦142.7 billion.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security – Cut from ₦1.95 trillion to ₦1.83 trillion.

Federal Ministry of Works – Adjusted from ₦2.04 trillion to ₦2 trillion.

Federal Ministry of Education – Reduced from ₦953.9 billion to ₦944.6 billion.

The revised budget reflects a shift in funding priorities while ensuring total expenditure remains within the approved fiscal framework.