Budget Office Kick-Starts 2025 Appropriation Bill Preparations, Warns MDAs Against Padding

• Says Renewed Hope agenda on course 

BY COBHAM NSA – With preparations for the 2025 national budget already in place, the Federal Government has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against capturing line items that are outside their statutory mandates.

The MDAs have also been directed to focus principally on projects that align with the economic priorities and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, gave the charge on Tuesday while declaring open a four-day Government Integrated Financial Management Information System Budget Preparation Sub-System (GIFMIS/BPS) training of MDAs budget officers in Abuja.

According to him, the government is committed to a more efficient budgetary system for the MDAs, adding; “The quality of our national budget has been a long-standing concern, with stakeholders often questioning the relevance, execution and effectiveness of our budgetary proposals.

“Today’s training offers a critical opportunity for all ministries, departments and agencies to reflect on their roles in the budget process. Together, we can ensure that our budget proposals for 2025 are not only robust and focused but also aligned with our national priorities.”

He stated that; “The GIFMIS Budget Preparation Subsystem Training Session provides us with an invaluable opportunity to acquire the tools and knowledge necessary to enhance our budgetary processes. This technology-driven system is designed to improve efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks, and promote accountability.”

Tasking all MDAs to only input projects within their mandates as stipulated by law,  Yakubu said; “I urge All MDAs to stay through to their mandates. Our executive budget proposals must be coherent and purpose-driven, embodying the government’s vision for security and development.

The Director General, who insisted that MDAs must be responsible for transforming government priorities into actionable programs and projects, said; “I encourage you to meticulously review your submissions to ensure they align with the overarching goal to safeguard the essential economic functions of producing, distributing and consuming goods and services.”

On Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Yakubu said the present administration is traversing significant fiscal challenges intensified by the dual issues of insecurity and limited resources that hinder our efforts to reverse economic decline.

He expressed commitment to implementing reforms that promote efficient resource allocation, address multidimensional poverty, and enhance our infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

Yakubu said the training represents a crucial step in addressing existing and emerging challenges as well as ensuring the 2025 budget aligns with the expectations of Nigerians

He said; “As we prepare the 2025 budget, I urge all MDAs to stay true to their mandates. Our executive budget proposals must be coherent and purpose-driven, embodying the government’s vision for security and development.

“You hold the vital responsibility of transforming government priorities into actionable programs and projects. I encourage you to meticulously review your submissions to ensure they align with our overarching goal: to safeguard the essential economic functions of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services.”

The Director General said government was committed to implementing reforms that promote efficient resource allocation, address multidimensional poverty, and enhance our infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria, maintaining that; “Achieving these ambitious goals requires the full cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the budget process.”