Thursday, July 16, 2026

After signing, Buhari accuses National Assembly of padding 2022 budget

The president says some of the projects introduced by the national assembly do not appear to have been adequately conceptualised, developed, or costed.

• December 31, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila
President Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila

President Muhammadu Buhari voiced discontent with the National Assembly’s modifications to the 2022 budget after signing it on Friday, claiming that they could stymie the smooth running of the federal government’s plan.

Mr Buhari expressed reservations about the assembly’s decision to designate new provisions totaling N36.59 billion for National Assembly projects in the Service Wide Vote, claiming that it violated the separation of powers and financial autonomy of both arm of government.

Increased projected independent revenue for the federal government by $400 billion, reduction in the provision for Sinking Fund to Retire Maturing Bonds by N22 billion, and reduction in the provision for Non-Regular Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion, respectively, all without explanation are also matters of concern for the president.

Mr Buhari was also concerned about the amendments to the original executive proposal, which included new entries, outright removals, reductions and/or increases in the amounts allocated to projects, as well as the elimination of provisions for 10,733 projects and the addition of 6,576 new projects to the budget.

Most of the projects introduced, he claims, are related to areas that are primarily the responsibility of state and local governments, and do not appear to have been adequately conceptualised, developed, or costed.

As soon as the lawmakers return from recess, President Buhari said he will approach the National Assembly with a request for an amendment to ensure that crucial current projects important to his administration do not suffer a delay as a result of reduced financing.

During the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill, he stated that the fiscal year 2022 will be vital to his administration’s efforts to finish and implement critical agenda projects, as well as enhance Nigerians’ overall living standards.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

World

ECDC warns drug-resistant gonorrhoea spreading across Europe

ECDC said that gonorrhoea remains one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases globally. 

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Heading 3

NCDC reaffirms commitment to preventing Ebola outbreak

Mr Idris said Nigeria currently had no confirmed Ebola cases.

States

Troops foil bandit attack in Kano, recover 97 cattle, 50 sheep

“Recovered cattle have been returned to their rightful owners,” he said.

Anambra state

Economy

Tinubu approves two road projects in Anambra

The projects are the 108-kilometre Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road and the 150-kilometre Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road, both approved for dualisation.

FAAN

Economy

FAAN set to introduce facial ID screening at airports

The agency said the system will enable passengers to verify their identities digitally, reducing reliance on physical identification documents at airports.