NIGERIA: Heavy Security At NASS As Tinubu Set To Unveil N47.96tn 2025 Budget Amid

By Onoja Baba, Abuja  

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to present the 2025 national budget, valued at N47.96 trillion, before a joint session of the National Assembly today.

The budget proposal, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is expected to outline the government’s fiscal priorities for the coming year amid economic recovery efforts and rising security concerns.

As anticipation builds, the National Assembly Complex has come under tight security, with a heavy presence of operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sergeant-at-Arms, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Security officials are strictly regulating access to the premises, permitting entry only for individuals directly involved in the budget proceedings.

In an unusual move, the National Assembly management directed all non-essential staff, including those providing clerical and auxiliary services, to remain at home during the event. Furthermore, businesses operating within the complex, including banks and food vendors, have been temporarily shut down for the day to ensure a smooth and secure visit by the President and his entourage.

This significant national event will be presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, who will receive the President and oversee the joint session. The proposed 2025 budget is built on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), which has already been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

President Tinubu’s arrival at the National Assembly marks the beginning of what many expect to be a critical fiscal year for Nigeria. The presentation comes amid challenges of economic uncertainty and public demands for increased transparency and efficiency in government spending. As Tinubu takes center stage, all eyes will be on how the 2025 budget proposal addresses key national priorities, including economic diversification, security, infrastructure development, and social welfare.

While the atmosphere within the National Assembly is charged with anticipation, the heightened security measures underscore the importance of the event and the government’s efforts to maintain order. The President’s address is expected to lay the groundwork for legislative deliberations on the proposed budget, which will ultimately shape Nigeria’s financial direction for 2025.