…Lawmakers Back N1.78 Trillion 2025 Budget
The leadership and members of the National Assembly have lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for what they described as exceptional and transformative performance in the administration of Nigeria’s capital.
The commendation came during Wike’s appearance before the National Assembly to defend the N1.78 trillion FCT Statutory Budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, praised the minister for his impressive delivery in a short span, alongside the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.
“What FCT has presented is one of the best budgets so far,” Bomai stated.
“This is the first time FCT is proposing to generate about N1.7 trillion. Also, the N608 billion projected Internally Generated Revenue for 2025 also shows a significant improvement.”
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP) also applauded the sweeping changes across the FCT, likening the capital city’s transformation to global cities such as Johannesburg and Cairo. However, he urged the minister to continue efforts to improve security in the territory.
Senator Mohammed Ndume (Borno South, APC) echoed the praise, noting the visible progress in Abuja’s infrastructure.
“Everybody that knows where Abuja was two years ago and what it is now, knows that you have done well,” Ndume said.
“Even yesterday, my friend told me that Wike is doing fine, and I said no, it is the Senate that is doing fine because without approving his budget, he cannot do anything.”
He pledged the Senate’s continued support to ensure the minister’s success.
Senator Osita Ozunaso (Imo West, APC) highlighted the budget’s shift in priorities as a sign of strategic planning.
“Whenever we are sitting on budgets, people come here and they increase the personnel cost, but you have reduced the personnel cost in the 2025 proposed budget by N21 billion from the amount allocated in 2024.
Secondly, you have more capital expenditure than recurrent. This is commendable,” he said.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North, APC) described Wike as one of the standout ministers under the APC-led administration, particularly commending his commitment to rural development.
“Too much money was being spent on overhead with very little available for infrastructure. What Wike has done is worth noting and commendation,” Oshiomhole said.
“Bringing development to rural communities is the most potent way to decongest the city.”
In a surprising turn, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT, LP), who has previously been critical of Wike’s leadership, also acknowledged his achievements.
“The visible performance is undisputable,” she said.
At the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Betara, similarly commended Wike for the ongoing transformation in the capital territory.
Other lawmakers across both chambers took turns to applaud Wike’s dedication to delivering democratic dividends to FCT residents in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, Wike appealed to the lawmakers to approve the N1.78 trillion proposal, noting that N1.28 trillion was earmarked for capital projects, representing 72.3% of the budget, while N494.1 billion was designated for recurrent expenditure, amounting to 27.7%.
