The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged National Assembly to slash the proposed N9.4 billion budget for travel, meals, and catering materials for the presidency.
The organisation also called for the cut of N344.85 billion allocated to the National Assembly, and redirect the savings to address Nigeria’s growing budget deficit.
In a letter dated December 21, 2024, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also urged the National Assembly to request Tinubu to submit a supplementary appropriation bill reflecting reduced spending.
SERAP demanded transparency, urging them to publicly disclose a detailed breakdown of the National Assembly’s proposed budget, including personnel costs and lawmakers’ salaries and allowances.
SERAP expressed concerns over the extravagant allocation of N8.74 billion for local and international travels for the President and Vice President in 2025, with N7.01 billion allocated for the President and N1.73 billion for the Vice President.
Other presidency allocations include N546 million for food and catering supplies, N71 million for refreshments, and N87 million for honoraria and sitting allowances.
SERAP also criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the N344.85 billion National Assembly budget and called for a full disclosure of how the funds would be spent.
They further demanded that lawmakers hold Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) accountable for the billions of naira allegedly missing from their accounts, as documented in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report.
SERAP argued that the proposed spending was not only unnecessary but also fails to align with the country’s economic challenges and rising public debt.
The group emphasised that such spending would constitute a fundamental breach of constitutional provisions, including sections 14(2)(b), 16(1)(a)(b), and 15(5), which prioritize public welfare, efficient resource management, and the eradication of corruption.
SERAP cautions that if the National Assembly fails to reduce wasteful expenditures and address systemic corruption, it would pursue legal action to compel lawmakers to fulfil their constitutional and fiduciary responsibilities.
