Prepare to justify budget allocations – Akpabio tells Ministers

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has urged ministers and heads of federal government agencies to be ready to defend their respective allocations within the 2025 budget proposal.

Akpabio made this statement on Wednesday following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of the ₦47.9 trillion 2025 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly.

In his welcome address, titled “A Call to Unity and Progress,” delivered during the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Akpabio warned of consequences for those who fail to honor invitations from the National Assembly.

He commended President Tinubu for his commitment to fostering collaboration with the National Assembly in pursuit of a transformative vision for Nigeria.

“Let me emphasize the need for Honourable Ministers and Heads of extra-ministerial departments to be prepared to promptly defend their sectoral allocations during our legislative oversight process,” Akpabio said.

“We have noticed with concern that some ministers and agency heads neglect their constitutional obligation to legislative oversight, often ignoring invitations from relevant committees.

“This behavior is unacceptable, and such breaches of the Constitution will no longer be tolerated,” he added.