Tinubu’s 2023 Supplementary Budget Proposal Prioritizes Defense

The Ministry of Works has been allocated N300bn, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has received N200bn.

In an interesting development, the Housing sector received N100 billion, the Federal Capital Territory Administration received N100bn, and Police Commands and Allocation were granted N50 billion.

The supplementary appropriation bill also includes the allocation of N615 billion to Service Wide Votes, N210bn for capital supplementation, and N28bn for the State House.

Other allocations in the bill are N49bn for the Department of State Services, N29.7bn for the Office of the National Security Adviser, and N18bn for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States on November 11.

In a letter addressed to the House and read by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, Tinubu stated, “You will recall that the National Assembly recently passed, and I signed, a Supplementary Appropriation Act 2023 for a total of NGN819,500,000,000.00 (Eight Hundred and Nineteen Billion Five Hundred Million Naira) which, among other things, made provision for recent critical economic policy decisions of the Federal Government.

“However, it has become necessary to make further provision for additional palliative measures, including the wage award for public servants and the enhanced cash transfer program, which is intended to benefit the most vulnerable members of our society.

“In addition, critical defense expenditures are also urgently required to provide for peace and the security of lives and property, without which the government’s economic growth agenda cannot be achieved.

“Similarly, critical investments are also required to construct much-needed infrastructure, particularly roads, which projects must be commenced within the (dry season) period between now and the end of the year.

“Accordingly, another Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 2023 to cater for the expenditures identified above, totaling NGN2,176,791,256,033.00 (Two trillion, one hundred and seventy-six billion, seven hundred and ninety-one million, two hundred and fifty-six thousand, and thirty-three naira) is hereby forwarded for the consideration of the National Assembly.”

The supplementary appropriation bill passed the second reading during a plenary session on Tuesday. The House, through its Committees on Appropriation, is expected to provide input in preparation for approval during the week or early next week.