The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially begun preparations for the 2025 national budget, issuing a stern directive to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to include only projects that fall within their designated mandates. This announcement was made by Tanimu Yakubu, the Director-General of the Budget Office, during a training event focused on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) budget preparation subsystem in Abuja on Tuesday.
Yakubu emphasized the necessity for MDAs to concentrate on projects that align with the current administration’s economic priorities, highlighting the longstanding concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of the national budget. “Today’s training offers a critical opportunity for all ministries, departments, and agencies to reflect on their roles in the budget process,” he stated. “Together, we can ensure that our budget proposals for 2025 are not only robust and focused but also aligned with our national priorities.”
The Director-General urged all MDAs to strictly adhere to their statutory mandates as outlined by law. He remarked, “You hold the vital responsibility of transforming government priorities into actionable programs and projects,” calling for meticulous review of their budget submissions to ensure alignment with the government’s vision for security and development.
This initiative comes in response to widespread criticism from Nigerians regarding the inclusion of unaccountable projects outside the primary functions of government parastatals. A report from BudgIT’s Tracka platform revealed that in 2023, over 687 projects worth N112 billion were allocated to agencies beyond their designated mandates, prompting the need for stricter oversight.
Addressing the country’s pressing economic challenges, Yakubu acknowledged the fiscal constraints exacerbated by insecurity and limited resources, which have hindered efforts to reverse the economic decline. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to implementing reforms aimed at promoting efficient resource allocation, addressing multidimensional poverty, and improving infrastructure to enhance the business environment in Nigeria.
The introduction of the GIFMIS Budget Preparation Subsystem is part of the government’s strategy to establish a more efficient and transparent budgeting process. Yakubu concluded, “This technology-driven system is designed to improve efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks, and promote accountability,” underscoring the government’s commitment to reforming the budgetary process for better governance and economic stability.
