By Fatima Saka
The National Assembly on Thursday passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, approving a total budget of ₦54.9 trillion, with ₦300 billion earmarked for health interventions to combat tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and polio.
Initially proposed at ₦49.7 trillion, the budget was presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 18, 2024, under the theme: “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Building Prosperity.” Following extensive legislative scrutiny and consultations with key economic stakeholders, the budget was increased by ₦5.2 trillion to address critical national priorities.
Although, the passing of the budget resulted into an executive session by the lawmakers, upon the approved.
Health Sector Intervention – ₦300 billion is allocated for vaccines and medications to combat TB, HIV/AIDS, and polio, following the U.S. suspension of health aid to Nigeria.
Debt Servicing – ₦14.3 trillion is allocated to meet debt obligations.
Capital Expenditure – ₦23.9 trillion will fund key infrastructure projects.
Recurrent Expenditure – ₦13.1 trillion is set aside for government operations.
Statutory Transfers – ₦3.6 trillion will be distributed among various government agencies.
To finance the expanded budget, the Joint Committee on Appropriations stated that additional revenue will be sourced from:
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Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) – Projected revenue of ₦41.8 trillion
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) – Expected revenue of ₦1.5 trillion
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) – Projected revenue of ₦1.2 trillion
The budget also includes significant allocations for key sectors:
Solid Minerals – ₦1 trillion
Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Recapitalization – ₦1.5 trillion
Bank of Industry (BOI) Recapitalization – ₦500 billion
Critical Infrastructure (RHID Fund) – ₦1.5 trillion
Irrigation Development – ₦380 billion
Road & Rail Infrastructure – ₦700 billion
Border Community Development – ₦500 billion
Military Barracks & Aviation – ₦370 billion
Lawmakers noted that the 2025 budget was presented later than the previous year, leading to delays in its passage. The Joint Committee on Appropriations recommended that future budgets be submitted at least three months before the fiscal year begins to maintain a January–December budget cycle.
With the ₦54.9 trillion budget now passed, the government aims to drive economic growth, enhance healthcare services, and boost infrastructure development. The ₦300 billion health sector intervention is expected to fill the gap left by the U.S. aid suspension, ensuring millions of Nigerians continue to access essential vaccines and medications.
