The House of Representatives is set to commence the defence of the 2025 appropriation bill by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on Tuesday, as part of the process to review and finalize the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Abubakar Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, announced the start of the defence sessions following a meeting with the chairmen of statutory committees on Monday. Bichi further emphasized the House’s intention to pass the budget by the end of January 2025, ensuring the timely approval of the fiscal plan for the nation.

The budget process follows the presentation of President Bola Tinubu’s ₦49.7 trillion 2025 Budget Proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2024. The president outlined key priorities in the budget, with substantial allocations made to sectors such as security and defence, infrastructure, health, and education. The defence and security sector received the highest allocation, at ₦4.91 trillion, followed by infrastructure at ₦4.06 trillion, health at ₦2.4 trillion, and education at ₦3.5 trillion.

In his address, President Tinubu described the budget as “The Restoration Budget,” aimed at securing peace and building prosperity for Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the budget would help address the country’s critical needs and stimulate economic growth. The presentation marked a key moment in Nigeria’s budgetary process as the National Assembly prepares to deliberate and approve the budget in the coming weeks.