Legislature
Senate passes bill seeking to extend 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act for the 2nd time
***Approves extension from June 30th to December 31st, 2023
***Lawmakers tackle Lawan over needless emergency session
The Senate, in an emergency session on Saturday, passed a bill which seeks to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to extend the implementation year from the 30th of June 2023 to 31st December 2023
This was just as some senators expressed displeasure over the needless emergency session as the incoming tenth National Assembly can equally consider the bill, especially as government is a continuum.
The emergency session was happening barely 48 hours to the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
It will be recalled that the National Assembly extended the implementation of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act from 31st March 2023 and also to June 30th, 2023.
The excuse then was to allow full implementation of the budget, especially in light of the 2022 Supplementary budget approved in December 2022, to allow MDA’s to utilize a large proportion of funds released to them.
Leading the debate on the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act Amendment Bill Senate leader and sponsor Sen. Gobir, Ibrahim Abdullahi (Sokoto East) said the important Bills seeks to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to extend the implementation year from the 30th June 202331st December 2023 respectively
The bill, which was read for the first time on Wednesday, 24 May, 2023, received accellerated consideration as it scaled second reading and the third reading.
According to the senate leader, “You would recall that the National Assembly extended the implementation of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act from 31st December 2022 to 31st March 2023.
“This was to allow full implementation of the budget, especially in light of the 2022 Supplementary budget approved in December 2022 the extension had allowed MDA’s to utilize a large proportion of funds released to them. However, significant amounts of funds remain with MDAs and will require a further extension to be fully expended.
“Given the critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, requesting a further extension of the expiration clause in 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the Long Title and Explanatory Memorandum is expedient to avoid compounding the problem of abandoned projects, given that some of the projects were not provided for in the 2023 Budget.
“I therefore urge my colleagues to give their full support to this Bill to allow full utilization of the capital releases in order to help reflate the economy”
The President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan in his remarks said, “This is a special session but I appologise for that but essentially what we are about to do here we have passed supplementary Appropriation bill and it was signed in to an act and the date of implementation lapses at the end of June but there have not been releases at all and majority of what is in that supplemwntary Appropriation act are roads, bridges that were destroyed by the flood that we had in 2022.
“So we felt together with the House of Representatives that since releases may start from next week, it is impossible that N819b that was provided in that supplementary “Appropriation will be utilized between now and end of the implementation benchmark and of course we need the road to be fixed, the bridges to be fixed.
“It is already late, in some parts of the country it has started raining already especially in most of the southern States and if we don’t fasten it and the rain takes over even to reconsider will be near impossible. “Essentially, that is why we felt there is a need to have a special session today so that we can pass it. The house passed it on Wednesday last week.
“What is expected of us is passing it along with the House so that the releases start immediately so that the implementation will be
We hope that will give comfort to many parts of the country.So I apologise for not going into a close session.
Senator Kaita, however, challenged Lawan demanding to know what was so urgent about the extension of the supplementary budget 2022 at the twilight of an administration adding that the 10th Senate can continue from where they will stop.
He alleged that many senators were murmuring over the inconveniences caused them by the emergency session, adding that he had already boarded a flight when he decided to cancel it.
Responding to Kaita Lawan said,
“Let me say that if we can do something now, we can’t wait. What we are doing here, this is a very serious emergency for us to do. If you look at our matter of urgent public importance, we raise issues like this. Any day spent is lost, and we see that what we have is for us to make progress with this. Let them go and start implementing, but let the approval be given.
“I take note of your concern but I want to assure you that there is nothing else but the fact that time is of essence and we can’t wait for any longer because Governmemr is a continuity when they start implementing let the new administration come and take over.
***Allocates N23.96 Trillion for Capital Projects, N14.31 Trillion for Debt Servicing
The Nigerian Senate along with the House of Represebtatives have passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, approving a record-breaking budget of N54,990,165,355,396 to finance government activities in the coming fiscal year.
The budget, titled A Bill for an Act to Authorise the Issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, was approved after deliberations on its allocations and implications for economic growth, debt management, and infrastructure development.
The chairman of the National Assemble Godswill Akpabio who is also the President of the Senate gave the beakdown of the 2025 Budget to show that Statutory Transfers: ₦3.65 trillion, debt Servicing: ₦14.32 trillion, Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure: ₦13.06 trillion and
Capital Expenditure: ₦23.96 trillion
The largest chunk of the budget, ₦23.96 trillion, was allocated for capital expenditure, aimed at infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and security.
This signals the government’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit.
However, the ₦14.32 trillion earmarked for debt servicing highlights the country’s rising debt burden, sparking concerns over long-term financial sustainability.
With the National Assembly approval, the budget now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent, after which implementation will begin. Analysts predict a challenging fiscal year, balancing economic growth with prudent spending and debt repayment.
However, time will tell whether the historic budget will deliver on its promises, or economic realities force adjustments down the line?
***Says addittional fund is to Prioritize Infrastructure, Health, Economic Growth
The chairman of the senate committee on Appropriation Senator Adeola Solomon Olamilekan has explained the approval of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by the national Assembly which it increased from N49.7 trillion to N54.99 trillion—the highest in the nation’s history.
The adjustment followed legislative reviews that uncovered additional revenues from key government agencies.
While explaining the Budget Expansion and Revenue Sources Olamilekan indicated that the additional N4.99 trillion was sourced from Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs)
These he said led to an increase in funding for critical sectors, including N1.5 trillion for Bank of Agriculture, N500 billion for Bank of Industry, 1 trillion for Ministry of Solid Minerals, N1.5 trillion for Renewable Infrastructure Fund, N300 billion – Road construction and N400 billion for Rail transport.
Others are N380 billion of Water resources, irrigation, and dam projects, N250 billion for Military barracks renovation N120 billion for New military aviation projects, N50 billion for Border security agencies
Following the suspension of U.S. health aid, which previously provided funding for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio treatments, President Tinubu approved $200 million (N300 billion) to ensure continued medical supplies and healthcare support for affected patients.
On the major Boost for Infrastructure Development he said a record N23.7 trillion has been allocated for capital projects, marking a significant leap in infrastructure investment.
He listed the areas the funds will focus on to include Roads and railways,nEducation and healthcare improvements and Other critical public infrastructure
To prevent delays in budget implementation, the 2026 budget process will begin in July 2025, with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted early and the Appropriation Bill expected by October 2025.
Concerns over inadequate rail infrastructure funding in the South East were raised, but legislative leaders clarified that rail projects are primarily funded through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
According to him, the 2025 budget focuses on light rail development in Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, and Kano, while further discussions on South East projects are ongoing.
He explained that to maintain Economic Stability the budget parameters remain unchanged, with key revenue sources including FIRS increasing its revenue target to N25.1 trillion, Nigeria Customs Service boosting revenue collection through stricter enforcement and Independent revenue agencies contributing 100% of their generated funds to the federal government
The House of Representatives has directed its Joint Committee on Communications and Interior to investigate reports of unauthorized National Identification Number (NIN) linkages by telecom service providers across Nigeria.
The decision followed the unanimous adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Hon. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo). The House also instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to probe the allegations and sanction any telecom operator found guilty of violating privacy laws.
Additionally, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been asked to clarify whether telecom providers were authorized to link NINs to subscriber lines and if such actions comply with existing regulations.
Hon. Umoh raised concerns about recent reports indicating that telecom companies have linked NINs to subscribers’ SIM cards without their consent. He warned that this unauthorized linkage exposes Nigerians to criminal activities, such as identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes.
“This action is a clear violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, which guarantee the right to privacy and the protection of personal data,” Umoh stated.
He further emphasized that while the NIN system was introduced to enhance national security and streamline identification processes, unauthorized linkages undermine public trust and jeopardize citizens’ safety.
“Aware that innocent citizens have been wrongly implicated in crimes, suffered reputational damage, harassment, and legal challenges for offenses they know nothing about, it is imperative that we address this issue immediately,” Umoh added.
The House has mandated the probe committee to submit its findings within four weeks, as lawmakers seek to protect Nigerians from potential data breaches and uphold the integrity of national security protocols.
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