President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented the budget estimates of N47.90 trillion for 2025, assuring the public that his administration would continue to stimulate the country's economy through targeted fiscal stimulus packages, public expenditure and non-inflationary expenditure.
During the formal presentation of the 2025 budget, titled “Restoration Budget: Ensuring Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity”, before a joint session of the National Assembly, Tinubu reiterated his unwavering commitment to rebuilding Nigeria and ensuring a prosperous future for the nation.
A breakdown of the proposed 2025 budget allocations showed the following: Defense and Security, N4.91 trillion; Infrastructure, N4.06 trillion; Health, N2.48 trillion; and Education, N3.52 trillion.
“As we embark on implementing the 2025 budget, our steps are deliberate, our decisions are purposeful, and our priorities are clear.
This budget reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundations of a strong economy while addressing critical sectors essential for growth and development,” Tinubu said.
On national security, Tinubu assured the public that his administration had “significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitaries and police to secure the nation, protect our borders and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory.” .
He stressed that the government will continue to equip security forces with the modern tools and technology needed to safeguard the country.
“The officers, men and women of our Armed Forces and Nigerian Police are the shields and protectors of our nation.
“Our administration will continue to train them to defeat insurgency, banditry and all threats to our sovereignty,” Tinubu added.
On infrastructure development, he explained: “When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the belief that infrastructure remains the backbone of any thriving economy.
“We are accelerating investments in energy, transportation and public works. By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs.”
Tinubu also shared his administration's commitment to enhancing human capital development, revealing that the government had disbursed N34 billion to over 300,000 students through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“In the 2025 budget, we have allocated N826.90 billion for infrastructure development in the education sector, including allocations for Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and nine new higher education institutions,” he said.
For healthcare, Tinubu emphasized the importance of Universal Health Coverage initiatives and announced an allocation of N402 billion for infrastructure investments in the health sector, with an additional N282.65 billion for the Health Fund. Basic Medical Care.
He added that his administration would continue its efforts to reduce dependence on medical imports and ensure quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
Addressing the issue of corruption, Tinubu stated: “Our nation faces existential threats of corruption and insecurity and suffers from many bad decisions in the past. These challenges are surmountable when we work collaboratively to overcome them.
We must rewrite the narrative of this nation together, with every leader, institution and citizen playing their part.”
He urged Nigerians to look towards a better future and support greater investment in the private sector, saying: “The time for lamentation is over. “This is the time to act.”
Tinubu concluded by highlighting that the 2025 budget proposal laid the foundation for peace, prosperity and hope, and emphasized that his administration's journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which began 18 months ago, was well on its way.
He added: “We must build on the progress we have made over the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy to withstand future global crises.”
The President also reported that Nigeria's economy was responding positively to fiscal stimulus measures, with projected growth of 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the same period of 2023.
Nigeria's foreign exchange reserves now stand at almost $42 billion and exports have been growing, with a current trade surplus of N5.8 trillion.
Finally, Tinubu shared the revenue targets of the 2025 budget, with a proposal of N34.82 trillion in revenue and N47.90 trillion in public expenditure, including N15.81 trillion for debt servicing.
It projected that inflation would decline from 34.6 percent to 15 percent, with an improved exchange rate of 1,500 naira to the US dollar and crude oil production pegged at 2.06 million barrels per day.
“This is an ambitious budget but necessary to ensure our future,” he concluded.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE