The Senate has announced that Nigerians should not expect the passage of the proposed ?49.7 trillion budget for the 2025 fiscal year before January 31, 2025.

This clarification was made by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, during a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, urging lawmakers to expedite its passage.

However, Senator Adaramodu disclosed that the budget defence by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government would only commence on January 7.

?Joint Committees of Senate and House of Representatives will start meeting with MDAs on January 7. Final report will be laid on 31stJanuary.?

The joint committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Appropriations are scheduled to meet with MDAs starting January 7 to review the budget proposals.

Senator Adaramodu further confirmed that the final report of the budget would be presented to the National Assembly on January 31.

The appropriation bill has already undergone its second reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, signaling progress in the legislative process.

Despite the delay, lawmakers have expressed their commitment to ensuring thorough scrutiny of the budget to align with national priorities and fiscal objectives. (Nigerian Tribune)