Report uncovers over 11,000 ‘padded’ projects in 2025 budget worth N6.93tn—BudgIT slams NASS

In a damning revelation that raises serious questions about fiscal accountability in Nigeria, BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organization, has alleged that the National Assembly inserted no fewer than 11,122 questionable projects—valued at a staggering N6.93 trillion—into the proposed 2025 national budget.

In a statement released to Vanguard on Tuesday, May 20, BudgIT accused lawmakers of transforming what were once isolated budget irregularities into a systemic abuse of Nigeria’s appropriation process.

The report highlights a growing trend of “budget padding” that the organization says is driven by political elites seeking personal and political gain at the expense of national priorities.

“The insertion of over 11,000 projects worth N6.93 trillion into the 2025 budget by the National Assembly is not just alarming—it is an assault on fiscal responsibility,” said Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director.

“This trend, increasingly normalised, undermines the purpose of national budgeting, distorts development priorities, and redirects scarce resources into the hands of political elites.”

Massive insertions, minimal justification

BudgIT revealed that 238 projects—each valued above N5 billion—were added to the budget without adequate explanation, totaling N2.29 trillion. Additionally:

• 984 projects worth N1.71 trillion were inserted without clear links to development priorities.

• 1,119 projects, ranging from N500 million to N1 billion in value, collectively accounted for N641.38 billion.

A closer analysis shows that:

• 3,573 projects worth N653.19 billion were tagged to federal constituencies.

• 1,972 projects worth N444.04 billion were assigned to senatorial districts.

BudgIT stressed that these additions do not align with Nigeria’s development goals but rather reflect political patronage and rent-seeking behavior.

Dubious project categories

Among the most concerning insertions:

• 1,477 streetlight projects costing N393.29 billion

• 538 borehole projects totaling N114.53 billion

• 2,122 ICT-related projects valued at N505.79 billion

• N6.74 billion earmarked for the so-called “empowerment of traditional rulers”

These projects, according to BudgIT, are not only excessive but often duplicated and misallocated to agencies lacking the mandate or technical capacity to implement them.

One striking example cited is the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, a vocational training institution which has inexplicably been tasked with:

• N3 billion for utility vehicles for farmers,

• N1.5 billion for rural electrification in Rivers State,

• N1 billion for solar streetlights in Enugu.

“These are examples of agencies operating outside their mandates, managing projects unrelated to their statutory functions, and adding zero value to national development,” BudgIT stated.

Ministry of Agriculture sees alarming spike

BudgIT revealed that 39% of the padded projects—4,371 of them worth N1.72 trillion—were forced into the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget, ballooning its capital allocation from N242.5 billion to N1.95 trillion. The Ministries of Science and Technology and Budget and Economic Planning also received questionable boosts of N994.98 billion and N1.1 trillion, respectively.

Presidential silence amounts to complicity, says BudgIT

Despite these alarming findings, BudgIT says the Presidency has remained silent. Formal complaints submitted to the Presidency, the Budget Office, and the National Assembly have been acknowledged, but none have responded or accepted responsibility.

“Even more concerning is the silence from the Presidency—silence which, in the face of overwhelming evidence, amounts to complicity,” the statement said.

Call to action: Legal, executive, and civic response needed

BudgIT is calling for urgent reforms to restore integrity to the budget process. Among its demands:

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must show executive leadership and align the budget with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025).

• The Attorney General of the Federation should seek a constitutional interpretation from the Supreme Court on the extent of the National Assembly’s appropriation powers.

• Anti-corruption agencies (EFCC and ICPC) must track the implementation of the padded projects and ensure value for money.

BudgIT is also urging citizens, civil society, the media, and development partners to speak out:

“This is not merely about financial mismanagement—it is a matter of justice, equity, and the future of accountable governance in Nigeria,” said Okeowo.

As the 2025 budget debate unfolds, the spotlight is now squarely on lawmakers and the executive to defend the public interest or risk deepening Nigeria’s fiscal crisis and democratic deficit.