The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), says plans are ongoing to increase funding for some strategic agencies in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The agencies are the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), among others.

“We are making a case for improved funding for the National Identity Management Commission, the National Youth Service Corps, and the Nigerian Defence Academy in the 2025 budget proposal. There are other agencies of government that are likely to benefit from this too,” Mr Agbese said.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Mr Agbese said the agencies are critical to the nation’s socio-economic development.

He highlighted the roles of the NIMC as Nigeria’s national data bank, the need to sustain the ideal of the NYSC, and the importance of the defence academy.

For the Defence Academy, he said, “At a time when terrorists continue to come up with new strategies despite the gallantry of our troops, we cannot but devise means to outwit them.

“One of the ways to do this is to improve the funding of the institutions charged with the mandate of building the capacity of our security personnel to tackle emerging security challenges.”

He added, “In all of these, we also realised that the budget envelope system is not enough to meet the capital expenditure needs of most of these agencies.”

The lawmaker said the House is prepared to increase funding for Nigeria’s foreign missions under the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Aviation.

Mr Agbese urged Nigerians to stay optimistic as the federal government, with the support of the National Assembly, is working hard to make life enjoyable for the citizens within the shortest possible time.

He enjoined Nigerians to be hopeful, as the current hardship felt across the country would soon give way to national prosperity.

(NAN)