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Bodija Explosion: Makinde Sets Up Relief Disbursement Committee, Calls For Prompt Action

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the committee on the management/disbursement of Bodija Explosion Relief Fund. The governor charged the members of the committee to ensure transparency in carrying out their responsibilities to those that were affected by the incident. Governor Makinde, who inaugurated the 10-man committee on Tuesday, said its job is to oversee the management and disbursement of the relief fund to those who lost properties to the explosion. Recall that on January 16, 2024, an explosion rocked Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija Ibadan, which was later found out to be due to illegal storage of mining devices. Governor Makinde stressed that the government is providing support to the people affected and not compensation, noting that his administration is interested in doing the right thing for the people of the state. He equally added that the road to the Dejo Oyelese Street the scene of the explosion will be fixed while a monument will also be erected around the area. The governor appreciated the various professional bodies that worked with the state when the incident happened for their support, charging them to incorporate people that would work efficiently with the committee and put the resources where needed. The committee is made up of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. bdulraheem Bayo Lawal (chairman); a former deputy governor of Oyo State and Chairman, Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, Chief Iyiola Oladokun; Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, Chairman, Bodija Estate Residents Association; Alhaji Gafar Bello, Executive Assistant on Finance, Budget and Planning; Mrs Ojuolape Busari, Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency. Others are nominee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Ibrahim Lawal; nominee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Oluseye Ojo; nominee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ibrahim Bello; nominee of Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, Mrs Arinola Olanipekun and the nominee of the Bodija Estate Residents Association, Mr David Afolayan. In attendance at the inauguration were former deputy governor of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; wife of former Oyo State governor, Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja; former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sumonu; Chief of Staff to the governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioners and Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal. Others were the Special Adviser to the governor on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), Oyo State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; co-chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Chief Wole Oyelese; and chairman of local government chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, among other dignitaries.

JUST IN: Agidigbo FM’s Chairman, Oriyomi Hamzat, Ooni’s Ex-Wife, Others Remanded In Correctional Centre

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  The enstranged wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Ogunwusi, alongside principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr. Abdullah Fasasi and ace broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat have been remanded at the Nigeria correctional centre, Agodi, Oyo. Citybuzznews learnt that the Chief magistrate sitting in Iyaganku, Bisi Ogunkanmi remanded the three defendants on four count bordering on conspiracy and murder in connection with the children funfair stampede in Ibadan on Wednesday. The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Makinde Assents To N684 Billion 2025 Appropriation Act

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, said his administration had been able to improve the performance of the state’s annual budgets from 30 to 35 per cent to over 70 per cent because it “engages the whole spectrum of stakeholders in the budget process and has the interests of the state at heart.” The governor stated this when he assented to the N684 billion 2025 Appropriation Act tagged “Budget of Economic Stabilisation,” at a budget signing ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He said that the government would target 80 per cent budget implementation in 2025, adding that his administration would push for reforms, people-centred policies and economic stability and work for the wellbeing of residents of the state. The governor noted that the 2025 budget would also play a key role in stabilising the economy of the state. He hailed the collaborative relationship between the executive and the legislative arms in the state, saying the whole process, including the stakeholders’ engagement meetings, budget preparation, the Treasury meetings and the scrutiny by the lawmakers, took about three months because all stakeholders prioritised the growth of the state. Governor Makinde also explained that the 2025 Budget has provision for the new minimum wage, stating that the new wage and consequential adjustments will take effect from January 1, 2025. The governor appreciated labour union leaders and the entire workforce in the state for their understanding and support regarding the implementation of the new minimum wage, reassuring that the government would pay the 13th month salary to all workers and retirees on 31st of December, 2024. He said: “This journey began in September 2024 when we kicked off the budget stakeholders’ meeting in all zones. After meeting with our people and hearing from them, we prepared the budget and we also had Treasury Board meetings. It is not just like a yearly ritual. “I will use this opportunity to thank everybody, because we explained to them. Before we started this minimum wage discussion, we discussed. The budget is almost like the operational manual to run this administration; it is like our Bible or Quran that we put by the side. And whatever you put in there, that is what you will want to follow through. “So, if we are saying from nowhere that we should start implementing the minimum wage and consequential adjustment in 2024, it is either we are not faithful to ourselves or we are not following our own laws. “We will start the implementation on the first of January 2025. But the 2024 budget had the provision for the main salary, wage award and the 13th month and we have implemented them. The salary has been paid. We should be having the wage award this week. And, by the 31st of this month, the 13th month salary would be paid. We have made provision for all of that. The governor added that the budget was presented to the House of Assembly in November, noting that the legislators spent six weeks to go through it. He continued, “The Assembly made it a priority that this budget was approved in the shortest possible time and, today, we are ready to sign it off. The entire process is just about three months. So, this is a testament that things work better and smoother where there is collaboration. “Since we assumed office in 2019, we have had continuous collaboration between the Executive and Legislature, which has become the envy of some. Where there is unity of purpose, things work harmoniously and that is the kind of relationship that exists among the three arms of government in Oyo State. We didn’t have to coerce anybody. We carry ourselves along and arrive at the same destination. “So, here in Oyo State, the Executive and Legislature are working harmoniously, because the leadership chose to put the people of Oyo State first. If they are looking for the secret to our continuous collaboration, it is just that simple. “That is why when people ask us how we have been able to go from about 30 to 35 per cent budget implementation by the previous administration to over 70 per cent, it is because we are talking across the entire spectrum of stakeholders. “So, I am hoping that, this year, we will move to 80 per cent implementation. “What this means is that once you have the road to your house in the budget, there is an 80 per cent chance that it will be implemented, and I think that is better than having 35 per cent. “Let me also use this opportunity to reassure our people. 2024 has been a tough year for all of us, but we cannot give up. As long as we have life, we will continue to push for reforms, policies and economic stability. This budget will play a key role in making these possible and I will solicit once again for continued support for this administration.” Governor Makinde also called on residents of the state to continue to support his administration, declaring that his government would continue to be transparent and open to engagements from the people of the state. “As a government, on our part, we will continue to be transparent and continue to emphasise that we can make mistakes, as we are not perfect. The issues people are not happy with, they should bring them to the table. Some people can be genuinely aggrieved but be bold enough to engage us. “We have not victimised anybody; even people that were laid off, we brought them in after reviewing their cases and felt they were unjustly treated. That is what your government should do for you.” Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, said the upward review of the budget from N678 billion to N684 billion was a deliberate effort to accommodate emerging priorities and critical projects that will drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, … Read more

Oyo To Collaborate With Ogun On Agriculture

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration and that of the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, would engage in a peer-review meeting in the New Year with a view to collaborating on areas critical to residents of both states. Governor Makinde said this while receiving Abiodun in Ibadan, on Monday, noting that the collaboration would see the two states exploring opportunities in the agriculture sector, especially the tractorisation policy and other areas. Makinde also appreciated Governor Abiodun, chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, who said his visit was to condole with the Oyo State Government over the deaths of 35 children in a stampede at a private funfair in Ibadan. He said: “Your Excellency, thank you so much for the visit. We appreciate you being with us at this difficult period. “My brother’s visit presented an opportunity to also rub minds. We were talking about tractorisation and the strategy they have adopted in Ogun State as well as what we are doing here. “We agreed that we will have a peer-review visit in the New Year so that we can leverage the good things happening there and they can also leverage the good things happening here.” Speaking earlier, the Ogun State governor expressed the condolences of the people of the state and the Southern Governors’ Forum to Governor Makinde over the unfortunate incident. He described the event that led to the deaths of innocent children as a good initiative that turned bad, advising non-governmental organisations that have such initiatives to always work with the government for proper planning when organising such charity programmes. Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of the children, who lost their lives, their bereaved parents and the people of Oyo State. He said: “I am here on behalf of myself, family, the entire people of Ogun State and the entire Southern Governors’ Forum of Nigeria. “We have come to commiserate with the governor and the entire people of Oyo State on the very unfortunate incident that happened on Wednesday 18th of December, 2024, where a good initiative turned sour. “We all woke up to the news the following day and I decided to come on behalf of all of us and condole with the governor and the people as well as the government of Oyo State. “The entire Southern governors are pained by this occurrence. In Ogun State, we believe anything that affects Oyo State affects us as well. Our prayer is that we won’t witness such an occurrence again. “We will continue to remember all those affected in our prayers.”

Police Reject Claims Of Killing Hunger protesters, Calls For Apology From Amnesty.

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  The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations made by Amnesty International in its report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” describing the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the image of the Force. The report, released on November 28, 2024, accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the August 1-10 #hunger protests, claiming that at least 24 people were killed in six northern states. However, the police have refuted these claims, asserting that their findings contradict Amnesty International’s allegations. Addressing a press briefing on the matter on Sunday, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said a special investigative panel was constituted to verify the claims. He added that the panel, in collaboration with Commissioners of Police from the affected states, conducted extensive investigations and compiled a comprehensive report detailing the inaccuracies in Amnesty International’s allegations. “Amnesty International is advised to have retrospection on its frequently false reporting on Nigerian’s Law Enforcement activities and reflect on its reporting methodology by ensuring that its reports are accurate and contain a true and fair expression of events that touch on national security and safety of all Nigerians. Accurate reporting of facts is key to the integrity and character of every international organisation and Amnesty International should not be an exception,” Adejobi added. He also said the police would write to demand a retraction of the report as well as a public apology for the alleged inaccuracies. Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force will in due time be writing the Amnesty International to demand a retraction of this report from the public space and with a public apology. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation. We, therefore, urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions.” Reeling out the police findings in Borno, Adejobi said the police didn’t use grenades as claimed by the organisation. He said, “In Borno State, it was established that the protesters were violent, engaging in widespread looting, pillaging, and wanton destruction of public and private property. For example, the Skill Acquisition Centre of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees was looted and vandalised. The warehouse of the World Food Programme, located on Baga/Maimalari Barracks Road, Maiduguri, was also looted, with several items belonging to the international organisation destroyed and stolen by some of the protesters. “Therefore, the claims by Amnesty International that the police threw a hand grenade from a convoy of vehicles into a filling station, killing three persons is a blatant falsehood and leaves right-thinking members of the society dismayed at this reported falsehood by an international agency which ought to act in accordance with international norms and standard of fair and honest reporting of human rights violations in the country.” In Niger State, Adejobi said the claim that three individuals were shot dead in Suleja was debunked in the police findings. Adejobi said the alleged killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina was also found to be unsubstantiated, adding that local sources confirmed that no such incident occurred. Also in Kaduna State, Adejobi said contrary to Amnesty International’s report, no protests occurred in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, and no police killings were recorded. He said instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army was identified and openly investigated. Adejobi said Amnesty International reported the deaths of two women and a man during protests in Jigawa but the police investigations revealed no such killings, and evidence suggested that the lone fatality was caused by protester violence, not police action. In Kano State, Adejobi said the report alleged 12 deaths in Kano due to police actions, stating that investigations indicated that these deaths resulted from violent confrontations involving looters and criminals, not police activity.

Hoodlums Burgle Shops After Fire Guts Ibadan Spare Parts Market

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  The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Akinyemi Akinyinka, on Saturday , raised the alarm that hoodlums have broken into some shops at the popular Araromi Spare Parts Market, Agodi-Gate in Ibadan, the state capital. Earlier, massive fire engulfed the market, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira. Akinyinka explained that despite the ongoing efforts of men and officers of the service to extinguish the fire, the hoodlums have subjected them to embarrassment and harassment. He said, “Hoodlums have broken into shops at Araromi Agodi-Gate, and they are embarrassing and harassing men and officer of Fire Service.” The blaze reportedly started around 2am on Saturday and continues to rage, with firefighters still battling to contain it. The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, said: “We are battling with a serious inferno at Agodi-Gate. Help us to call water tanker owners to assist us. We are still here battling with the situation.” The cause of the fire remains unclear as investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, a tragic fire incident, on Friday, claimed the lives of a husband, his wife, and their grandson in the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of Ibadan, Oyo State, affecting a storey building, at 3.46am. Earlier this week, a disastrous fire again wreaked havoc in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday morning, destroying three shops while the prompt arrival of the state fire services saved 13 others. Last Friday, fire engulfed a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, reportedly trapping several worshippers inside during a vigil. The incident occurred at about 9.30pm at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area.  

Families Cry Out As Abuja DSS Arrests Lovers In Osun

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  The families of Nurudeen Adesiyan and Kehinde Akintunde have cried for help after the lovers were taken away by men of the Department of State Services suspected to be from the Abuja headquarters. Nurudeen and Kehinde were reportedly apprehended on November 29 at Arowosola Quarters, Ajape, Modakeke, Osun State. According to family members, the lovers have been held incommunicado since their arrest, and their whereabouts are unknown. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Boyenle Adesiyan, the elder brother to Nurudeen, said efforts to locate the duo had been abortive. He said the DSS officers, who invaded their house around 5 am with four vehicles, did not disclose the station they came from and where they were taking the lovers to. Boyenle said, “My brother (Nurudeen) texted me around 5 am on the 29th of November, telling me that security men were at our house but they were yet to arrest anybody. I replied to the message immediately but Nurudeen didn’t respond. “Around 6 am, my mother called to inform me that the personnel hijacked the door from her when she wanted to bathe. She said the officers took her phone and asked who ‘Kehinde 2’ on her call log was. “She said the officers asked her to lead them to Kehinde’s house, unknown to them that the said Kehinde was with her and standing beside them. Kehinde is my brother’s fiancée and she stays in our house frequently. They arrested my brother and Kehinde, and my mother, and led them to Kehinde’s house.” According to Boyenle, when the men got to Kehinde’s house, they allegedly ransacked the place and destroyed some things. She added that the operatives also seized phones and beat up the victims. “They arrested every member of Kehinde’s family and drove them away. But when they got to Community Grammar School, they freed Kehinde’s family members. But she and my brother, Nurudeen, were taken away. “Since then, we have not heard anything from the DSS, Nurudeen and Kehinde. The DSS didn’t tell us where they came from or where they were taking our people to. We visited the DSS office in Ile-Ife, and we were told the officers who arrested Nurudeen and Kehinde were personnel of the service. “However, they didn’t disclose where they came from. When we visited their office a second time, they didn’t give us any reasonable response again. “We want the general public to help us; we want to know the whereabouts of our people and the offence they were arrested for. They are not criminals. They have rights,” she stated. Giving an account of the arrest, Gbenga Akintunde, an elder brother to Kehinde, said the DSS officers threatened to shoot him when he demanded what his sister’s offence was and where they were taking him to. He said, “My mum called me very early to inform me that some security operatives had invaded our house. When I got to our house, I met the DSS officers. I asked them what the issue was but instead of answering, they threatened to shoot me. “They broke into our house, beat and arrested everybody, including my mother. They also seized their phones and drove them away without leaving any information. When they got to the community school, they freed the people and returned their phones, while they drove away Kehinde and her boyfriend. “We went to the DSS office in Ile-Ife to report the case and we were told that the personnel were DSS officers, but we were not told where they came from. “We have not been able to reach both Kehinde and Nurudeen since then. Sometimes, their phone would ring but nobody would answer the call.” Gbenga said he was not allowed to enter the DSS office when he visited to ask if the lovers were being held there. Efforts to get a reaction from the Osun command of the DSS proved abortive. But a credible source at the headquarters told Sunday PUNCH that the operation was carried out by personnel from the national headquarters. “We are aware of the case but we didn’t carry out the operation. The operatives were from Abuja,” the source said. The DSS head office in Abuja does not have a spokesman. Punch

Ibadan Stampede: Makinde Cancels 57th Birthday Party

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  S/East PDP leaders visit, commiserate with gov Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that the death of some children in a stampede at a private funfare held in Ibadan, the state capital, last Wenesday, was sobering and could have been avoided if due diligence had been done by the organisers. The governor stated this on Friday, when he received leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East geopolitical zone, who paid him a visit to condole with him over the deaths. Governor Makinde declared that apart from cancelling a birthday lecture planned in his honour in Ebonyi State, he had decided to cancel his birthday party on 25th of December to honour the departed souls. The governor appreciated the South-East PDP leaders led by the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees and former Senate President, Dr Adolphus Wabara, for their show of love and for letting the residents of Oyo State know that “they are not alone in these sad times.” Those in the South-East PDP delegation also include a former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu; a former National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Ben Obi; a former National Woman Leader of the PDP, Iyom Josephine Anenih; new National Secretary of the PDP, Chief SKE Udeokoye; PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa; Chief Obasi Elebi and the Ebonyi State PDP chairman, Chief Onyema Nwele. The governor said: “We flew into Abuja and planned to be on our way to Ebonyi, when the sad event started unfolding on Wednesday. First, we had to secure the place. I sent the security people in there. “The most painful part for me was that this incident could have been avoided altogether and the deceased are innocent children. “By the time I got to Abuja and I got the full report, I said there was no way we could go on to Ebonyi. But I appreciate all the arrangements and commitment that we were able to see, from my able leader and former National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi. “The love from the South-East is not lost on me and the people of Oyo State. I really want to say thank you for the love. You are the first set of leaders that came physically to commiserate with the Government and the people of Oyo State for that unfortunate incident. “Yes, some people have called, reached out but in terms of physical presence, you are the first. That will not be lost on the people of Oyo State. “This is not a day for long speeches; it is a day that is really sobering for me personally. Not only did I cancel the event in Ebonyi, I told everyone that I would stay indoors on my birthday. There is no party; I have sent the message out. “It has been a difficult year, really. Early in the year, we had the Bodija explosion. We managed through quite a bit. But we are strengthened by the show of support for us, to let us know that we are not alone in facing all of these. “So, on behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we want to appreciate you for coming to commiserate with us and to let us know we are not alone.” Speaking earlier, Dr Wabara, expressed the condolences of the South-East PDP to Governor Makinde, noting that the governor is much loved in the South-East and the PDP leaders have chosen to visit to commiserate with him and the people of the state. “Your Excellency, the people you see here this afternoon came all the way from Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, on hearing what happened to you and the good people of Oyo State two days ago. “Yesterday, the entire South-East waited for you but as a statesman, a man who loves his people, you cancelled the meeting because fire was burning in your house. “We, on our own, had to cancel the event and it was well-taken and everybody went back from Abakaliki crying. Not weeping because we didn’t have food to eat but because we know that once Oyo is crying, the entire South-East is crying, not to talk of the leader in your person. You are very much loved in the South-East. “We decided that these elders here should come to clean the tears of the Oyo State people. As you are weeping, we are also weeping. So, we are here to commiserate with you, and through you, with the people of Oyo State. “It is going to be a very sad Christmas for us. The children that died; they are not just Ibadan people, they are Nigerians and we are Nigerians. So, we feel the pains just as much as you do. It will be a bad Christmas. If it is possible for the people of South-East to cancel Christmas, we would have done so. “What has happened is unprecedented and I am happy that you are following it up as you have ordered that a thorough investigation be carried out. You have gone through a lot but with your sagacity and understanding of governance, God has been seeing you through. “Generally, as Christians, when anything happens, whether good or bad, we give thanks to God. So, we want to, on behalf of the South-East PDP stakeholders, pray to God to grant you and the people of Oyo State, particularly the parents of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the loss. “They are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow but unfortunately, this happened. God knows best.” Governor Makinde also used the occasion to congratulate Chief SKE Udeokoye, who was affirmed as the National Secretary of the PDP by the Court of Appeal on Friday as well as the new chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State. He advised the new National Secretary to be firm and to provide leadership, saying: “For the newly-minted PDP National Secretary, I wrote to the BOT that fair … Read more

Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price To N899.50

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  Dangote Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit to N899.50 per litre, in a bid to offer Nigerians some relief as the holiday season approaches. This was contained in a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, on Thursday. The refinery, Africa’s first privately-owned oil refining facility, had previously cut the price to N970 per litre on November 24. The latest reduction aims to ease transportation costs during the festive period, a time when Nigerians often face increased travel expenses. Announcing the special purchase offer, Chiejina said consumers can now buy an additional litre of fuel on credit for every litre purchased in cash, provided they secure a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank. “To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM. “Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank,” Chiejina said. The refinery thanked Nigerians for their continued patronage and reiterated its commitment to supplying high-quality, environmentally friendly petroleum products at competitive prices. Chiejina emphasised that the Dangote Refinery is ending Nigeria’s dependence on substandard and blended imported petroleum products, which have historically harmed human health, machinery, and the environment.

BREAKING: N’Assembly To Extend 2024 Budget Cycle

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  The National Assembly is set to extend the 2024 budget cycle It was also learned that the 2025 budget will be passed at the end of the year. President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to present the N47.9tn 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly at 12 pm. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), noted that the late submission of the budget makes its passage within the year unfeasible. Isunazo said, “The budget is coming late. Today is December 18, so we will lose that culture of beginning a new year with a new budget. Nevertheless, the budget has a lifespan of 12 months. “So whenever we pass it, it will have a lifespan of 12 months. Even after 12 months, we still have the liberty to extend it. In fact, we are extending the 2024 budget today. “But that culture of starting on the 1st of January, we have lost it. The executive ought to have brought this budget way before now. But I believe that maybe they are putting things together. “They wouldn’t want to delay deliberately bringing the budget to the National Assembly. So I’m saying that that is not a problem, but we have lost that culture.” The 9th National Assembly in 2020 introduced the January-December budget cycle during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a strategy to enhance budget performance. This marked a departure from the June-May cycle, which persisted until the 2019 appropriation. During the transition, the then-Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan, noted that the June-May cycle posed challenges for planning and effectively implementing Nigeria’s macroeconomic framework. “We believe that if we can do that, our budget will go back to that regular cycle, that desirable cycle of January to December, and that will enhance the budget performance of this country,” Lawan has stated. Although the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper last week, uncertainty lingers about when President Tinubu will present the 2027 budget estimates to a joint session of the legislature Tinubu presented the 2024 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on November 29, 2023, and it was subsequently passed on December 30—approximately one month later. At the presentation, Tinubu emphasised the importance of maintaining the January-December cycle, urging lawmakers to ensure the 2024 budget’s timely passage. “I am confident that the National Assembly will continue to work closely with us to ensure that deliberations on the 2024 budget are thorough and concluded with reasonable dispatch. Our goal is for the Appropriation Act to take effect on the 1st of January 2024,” he had stated. Both chambers are in separate closed-door sessions. Our correspondent reports that the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, among other executives, are already at the National Assembly.

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