General News
PRESIDENT TINUBU SIGNS HISTORIC N54.99 TRILLION BUDGET, ASSURES NIGERIANS OF IMPROVED ECONOMY
President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2025 Budget of Restoration into law, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to economic recovery, stability, and growth. The N54.99 trillion budget is based on projected revenues and aims to secure the nation’s future, rebuild prosperity, and ensure that every Nigerian shares in the dividends of governance.
The Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that President Tinubu thanked the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their collaboration in giving the appropriation bill speedy attention and passage. “We have no dust on our faces or tears in our eyes. We walked together as brothers and sisters. Though the initial outlook was turbulent, we can now see signs of progress,” President Tinubu stated.
President Tinubu noted that the uncertainty over the economy was gradually clearing as the reforms took shape, delivering a national GDP growth of 3.86% in the last quarter of 2024, the fastest in three years. He highlighted several key achievements, including increased revenue, reduced deficit, and restored investor confidence.
The President emphasized that the budget prioritizes National Security, Infrastructure and energy, Human Capital Development, healthcare, education, and skills development. He also assured that the increased allocation for agriculture and food security will boost local food production and ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry.
Onanuga stated that President Tinubu urged the legislators to extend the same support for implementing the budget, emphasizing that every government agency would be held accountable for prudent spending and value-for-money initiatives. “To ensure smooth budget implementation, we will work with the National Assembly to redefine corrigenda within the Appropriations Act,” President Tinubu added.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, assured President Tinubu of the full support of the National Assembly in implementing the budget. Akpabio noted that the President inherited a “foaming economy” that needed urgent economic measures to recover. The Senate President affirmed that President Tinubu’s experience from Lagos and versatility in managing men and resources enabled the economy’s ongoing reforms and turnaround.
Onanuga stated that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the passing of the budget had been a collaborative effort based on consultation, negotiation, and analysis. “The National Assembly has all along been partners in progress with you, Mr President,” Edun added.
Bayo Onanuga concluded by stating that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to economic recovery, stability, and growth, and that the 2025 Budget of Restoration is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday. He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” warning that it reflects a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of dissenting voices in the country.
Obi noted that such actions, if confirmed, undermine fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement, which he said are essential pillars of any democratic society.
He further stressed that harassment or persecution of citizens based on perceived political affiliations must not be tolerated, urging the government to uphold the rule of law in its dealings with Nigerians.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society,” Obi stated, adding that suppression and intimidation of dissent have no place in a functioning democracy.
The former Anambra State governor called on authorities and all relevant actors to refrain from actions capable of weakening the nation’s already fragile democratic system.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the alleged arrest.