Senate Grills Tinubu’s Economic Team Over 2025 Budget Performance, Unpaid Contractors

Abuja, Nigeria — Growing concerns over Nigeria’s fiscal management deepened this week as lawmakers in the National Assembly intensified scrutiny of the 2025 federal budget implementation, citing massive revenue shortfalls, unpaid contractors, and stalled capital projects.

Members of the Senate and House of Representatives have questioned top officials in the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what they describe as poor execution of the 2025 Appropriation Act.

₦30 Trillion Revenue Shortfall

During recent oversight sessions, senators were informed that the federal government recorded an estimated ₦30 trillion revenue shortfall in 2025, significantly affecting capital releases and project execution. Reports presented to lawmakers indicated that only about 30 percent of the budget could be funded, forcing several capital projects into potential rollover status.

The development has raised alarms within the National Assembly of Nigeria, where lawmakers described the performance as unsatisfactory and unsustainable.

Contractors Protest Unpaid ₦4 Trillion

The fiscal strain has had ripple effects across the construction and infrastructure sectors. Members of the All-Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria staged protests in Abuja over approximately ₦4 trillion in unpaid arrears for capital projects executed in 2024.

Contractors argue that failure to settle outstanding debts has led to job losses, abandoned sites, and severe liquidity crises for indigenous firms.

Lawmakers Summon Economic Managers

In response to the growing crisis, the House of Representatives summoned key members of the government’s economic team, including:

• Wale Edun, Minister of Finance

• Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning

• Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

Lawmakers demanded explanations over reports that the capital component of the 2025 budget had seen minimal or zero releases in several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), despite government claims of improved revenue performance.

Meanwhile, the Senate reportedly threatened sanctions against the Office of the Accountant-General over delayed payments and weak fund disbursement processes.

Senator Abaribe’s Criticism

Among the most vocal critics has been Enyinnaya Abaribe, who questioned where government revenues from taxes, borrowing, and subsidy savings had gone. While exact wording circulating online varies, his remarks reflect broader legislative frustration over what some lawmakers view as disconnect between revenue claims and tangible project delivery.

Government Position

Government officials maintain that structural reforms, debt servicing obligations, and global economic pressures have affected fiscal performance. They argue that revenue reforms, including tax administration improvements and subsidy removal policies, are long-term measures designed to stabilize public finances.

However, critics say the immediate impact of low capital releases is visible in stalled infrastructure, unpaid contractors, and rising public dissatisfaction.

What This Means Going Forward

Economic analysts warn that continued under-implementation of capital budgets could:

• Slow infrastructure development

• Reduce investor confidence

• Increase unemployment in construction and allied industries

• Expand Nigeria’s debt burden if borrowing continues to fill revenue gaps

With the 2026 budget cycle approaching, lawmakers are signaling that stricter oversight and stronger enforcement mechanisms may be introduced to ensure better fiscal accountability.