A review of Nigeria’s proposed 2025 budget has revealed that the Office of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu is set to spend significant sums on vehicles, office equipment, and training.
The budget shows that N285 million has been allocated for the purchase of vehicles, while N293 million is earmarked for honorariums within a year. The office, currently headed by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also plans to spend N121.6 million on an archiving system.
Breakdown of Key Expenditures
1. Office Equipment:
Two Photocopiers: N15 million
Four Scanners & Four Desktop Computers: N20 million
Shredding Machines: N4 million
IT Equipment Servicing: N23 million
Computer License Renewal/Upgrade: N45 million
2. Operational Costs:
Office Stationery & Consumables: N8.1 million
Maintenance of Office/IT Equipment: N40.6 million
3. Capacity Building & Training:
Local Training: N312 million
International Training: N319 million
Concerns Over Expenditure
The proposed spending has raised concerns about the government’s fiscal prudence, especially in light of Nigeria’s financial challenges. Critics have questioned the necessity of such expenses amid the country’s rising debt profile and limited revenue base.
Nigeria’s total budgetary expenditure for 2025 is projected at N49.7 trillion, while revenue is expected to reach only N34 trillion, resulting in a significant deficit. The country also plans to spend N15.81 trillion on debt servicing alone, further straining its financial resources.
The allocation for the Office of the Chief of Staff has sparked public debate about the government’s commitment to cost-cutting measures and its efforts to manage scarce resources amid the nation’s growing debt obligations.
