2025 Budget Allocates N2.3 Trillion to Scrapped Niger Delta, Sports Ministries, Defunct Agencies

The federal government has allocated N2.3 trillion in the 2025 budget proposals to the defunct ministries of Niger Delta and Sports Development, raising concerns over the budget’s accuracy and preparation. These ministries were dissolved in October 2024 during a Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with their responsibilities reassigned to the new Ministry of Regional Development and the reinstated National Sports Commission (NSC).

Despite this restructuring, the budget details reveal allocations for the scrapped ministries. The defunct Ministry of Sports Development received N95 billion, while the dissolved Niger Delta Ministry was allocated N2.23 trillion, including N2.205 trillion for personnel costs. This comes even as the newly created Ministry of Regional Development and the NSC were not assigned any funds.

In addition to these controversial allocations, the five regional development commissions—including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the newly established North West, South West, and South East commissions—received a combined allocation of N2.49 trillion, creating concerns about redundancy and inefficiency.

The budget also includes a contentious N179.6 million allocation for wildlife conservation at the Presidential Wildlife Sanctuary and N3.66 billion for vehicle procurement in the State House.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the budget for its reliance on borrowing and lack of fiscal discipline, while civil society groups, including CISLAC, called the allocations to scrapped ministries “scandalous.” Stakeholders are urging the National Assembly to thoroughly scrutinize the proposals and ensure a more realistic and accountable fiscal plan for 2025.