The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to significantly reduce the proposed N9.4 billion budget for travels, refreshments, and catering by the Presidency, as well as the N344.85 billion proposed for the National Assembly in the 2025 appropriation bill.
In a letter dated December 21, 2024, signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to both legislative leaders, SERAP emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency.
The organization urged Akpabio and Abbas to request President Bola Tinubu to present a revised supplementary appropriation bill reflecting these budget cuts for legislative approva
SERAP criticized the National Assembly for failing to provide a detailed breakdown of its proposed N344.85 billion budget.
The group demanded the publication of details on personnel costs, salaries, and allowances of lawmakers.
Additionally, it urged the lawmakers to invite heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) implicated in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report to account for missing public funds.
“Any proposed unnecessary spending by the presidency and the National Assembly would amount to a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended],” SERAP stated.
It also warned that failure to address these issues would leave the group with no choice but to pursue legal action to compel the National Assembly to fulfill its oversight duties.
SERAP decried the proposed budgets as excessive and unnecessary, particularly against the backdrop of Nigeria’s economic challenges and its reliance on borrowing to finance the 2025 budget.
The 2025 budget, titled Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity, includes a combined N11.63 billion allocation for travel and transport expenses for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Office of the President alone proposes N7.01 billion for travel, while the Vice President’s office requests N1.73 billion.
Furthermore, the two offices plan to spend N546.2 million on foodstuff and catering materials and N71.43 million on refreshments and meals.
SERAP further noted a 12 billion naira increase in the presidency’s allocation for “rehabilitation and repairs of fixed assets,” which rose from N14 billion in 2024 to N26 billion in 2025.
“These figures underscore a lack of political will to cut the cost of governance,” SERAP stated.
Breakdown of Proposed Expenditures
In addition to travel and meals, the presidency’s budget includes allocations for:
Honorarium and sitting allowances: N87.58 million
Drugs and medical supplies: N79.67 million (Office of the President only)
Postages and courier services: N3.92 million
Publicity and advertisements: N26.46 million
Welfare packages: N24.91 million (Office of the Vice President only)
Sports activities: N3.10 million (Office of the Vice President only)
Despite the magnitude of these allocations, the National Assembly has yet to disclose specific details of its N344.85 billion budget, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.
SERAP warned that it would not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings if the National Assembly fails to reduce unnecessary expenditures and address systemic corruption within MDAs.
It also urged the legislative leadership to publicly commit to cutting the proposed budget to reflect the country’s economic realities.
As Nigerians grapple with economic hardship, SERAP’s demand highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s fiscal policies.
The organization’s letter underscores a critical need for the leadership to prioritize public interest over extravagant spending and demonstrate accountability in managing public funds.
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