Ahead of today’s presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, security around the complex was heightened by its management. This was in preparation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address to the lawmakers. The presentation, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was shifted to today, December 18.
On Monday, the Federal Executive Council approved an estimated expenditure of N47.96 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year. During yesterday’s plenary, the House of Representatives, which will host the joint sitting, moved a motion to suspend its rules, allowing the President and his entourage to enter the chambers.
House leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, moved the motion, stating: “I do move that the House, pursuant to Order 6, Rule 4 (1) and (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit into the Chamber, the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, the President of the Senate, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministers, Government Officials, and other dignitaries on Wednesday 18 December 2024 to receive an address from the President on the 2025 budget estimates.”
To ensure smooth proceedings, security around the National Assembly has been reinforced with support from various agencies. Additionally, all business operations within the complex, including banks and food vendors, were instructed to remain closed for the day. Visitors and non-essential staff were also asked to stay home, while only essential staff with accreditation and a limited number of reporters were permitted entry.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen will jointly preside over the session. This will be President Tinubu’s second budget presentation to the National Assembly since taking office on May 29, 2023. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, which form the basis of the budget, have already been approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.
