In this post, we digest some top stories that make up the front pages of major Nigerian newspapers on Monday 16 December, 2024, and provide key advocacy asks.
High expectations as 32 states budget N22 trillion for 2025 – Daily Trust
Citizens have said they are expecting more developmental projects and programmes from governors following the increases in the fiscal estimates proposed for the 2025 by various state governments.
Analysis by Daily Trust showed that 32 of the 36 governors have proposed a total sum of N21.9 trillion in the appropriation bills presented to their state assemblies.
We urge state governors to prioritise transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement throughout the budget implementation process to build public trust and ensure equitable distribution of resources that improve the quality of life for all residents.
FG overshoots 2024 borrowing targets by N4trn – Vanguard
As President Bola Tinubu prepares to present to the National Assembly tomorrow, the 2025 national budget largely saddled with funding by borrowings, the Federal Government (FG) is set to overshoot its domestic borrowing target for 2024 by N4 trillion, about 67 per cent above the budgeted amount.
The federal government must urgently prioritise fiscal responsibility by exploring innovative revenue generation strategies, curbing wasteful expenditures, and ensuring transparency in the use of public funds.
Council autonomy: ALGON, NULGE kick as govs get N2tn LG allocations
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee disbursed a total of N2.08tn in allocations to Local Government Councils between July and December 2024, findings by The PUNCH have shown.
However, despite the July 2024 Supreme Court ruling granting full financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, The PUNCH learnt that the allocations were still paid to state government accounts.
We call on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to ensure that the government respects the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy by commencing direct payment to ensure that funds are utilised transparently and effectively for grassroots development.
