- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has on Wednesday presented N47.90 trillion for 2025 before the joint National Assembly with Defense and Security as well as Infrastructure taking the larger share.
This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” according to the President, strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance.
Breaking down the key priorities of the budget after N15.81 trillion deduction for debt servicing, Tinubu allocated N4.91 trillion to Defense and Security while Infrastructure takes N4.06 trillion.
Also prioritized in the allocation is the education sector which received N3.52 trillion while the health sector gets N2.48 trillion.
Explaining reason behind the mammoth allocation to Defense and Security, Tinubu, held that they are the foundation of all progress.
He stressed that boost the morale of the armed forces personnel through provision of modern tools and technology remains the government’s top priority.
“Security is the foundation of all progress. We have significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and police forces to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory.
“The government will continue to provide our security forces with the modern tools and technology they need to keep us safe. Boosting the morale of our men and women in the armed forces will remain our government’s top priority.
“The officers, men, and women of our Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force are the shields and protectors of our nation.
“Our administration will continue to empower them to defeat insurgency, banditry, and all threats to our sovereignty. Our people should never live in fear—whether on their farmlands, highways or cities. By restoring peace, we restore productivity, revive businesses, and rebuild our communities.” he explained.
On infrastructure, the President described it as the backbone of every thriving economy.
He said the launch of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund was aimed at accelerating investment in energy, transport, and public works.
Tinubu highlighted investment on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto Badagry Highway which he described as key legacy projects that will drive growth and create jobs.
“When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the conviction that infrastructure remains the backbone of every thriving economy.
“Under this programme, we are accelerating investments in energy, transport, and public works.
“By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs.
“We have already embarked on key legacy projects: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will have a huge impact on the lives of our people and accelerate economic output.” he said.
The President also harped on human capital development, citing the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Universal Health Coverage initiatives as the focal points of his administration in 2024.
While announcing the disbursement of N34 billion to over 300,000 students under NELFUND initiative in 2024, Tinubu revealed that N826.90 billion provision for infrastructure development in the educational sector have been made in the 2025 budget.
“Our administration has so far disbursed 34 billion naira to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“In the 2025 Budget, we have made provision for 826.90 billion naira for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the nine new higher educational institutions.
“We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria.
“In this way, we have allocated 402 billion naira for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 Budget and another 282.65 billion naira for the Basic Health Care Fund.
“Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians.
“This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency.” the President said.