- The Federal Executive Council has approved a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for 2025, aligning with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework
- Key economic parameters include a $75 per barrel crude oil price and an exchange rate of 1,400 Naira to USD
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for 2025, part of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027.
The approval, confirmed by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, occurred during a recent FEC meeting led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Bagudu stated that the framework aligns with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007. He revealed key economic parameters 2025, including a $75 per barrel crude oil price, a 1,400 Naira to USD exchange rate, and oil production levels set at 2.06 million barrels per day.
The minister emphasized that, based on the anticipated 3.19% growth rate for Q2 of 2024, the federal government aims to reduce inflation and bolster economic stability. Additionally, the government plans to address budget deficits through N9.22 trillion in new borrowing.
Bagudu highlighted plans to maintain the deregulation of petroleum prices, stabilize the exchange rate, and compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to cut oil and gas production costs. These initiatives may involve amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to tackle major risks.
The FEC also reviewed the 2024 budget implementation. According to Bagudu, while some revenue targets lagged, non-oil revenue streams performed better than expected.
The government intends to keep fighting inflation, strengthening economic resilience, and backing high-employment sectors. Key priorities include support for youth development, social investment programs, and improved business conditions.
The framework and ongoing economic and tax reform bills will soon be submitted to the National Assembly.
2025 Budget’s Dollar Equivalent
The proposed budget of N47.9 trillion translates to $27.96 billion (based on a $1/N1,679 rate), a drop from the 2024 budget of $34 billion. This amount is significantly lower than former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s budgets, ranging from $35 billion in 2020 to $47.39 billion in 2023.
Experts’ Concerns
An economist who wished to remain anonymous described the budget’s size as “overly ambitious.” He pointed out that the 2024 budget’s deficit already strains the economy and urged a thorough review of revenue performance to avoid further fiscal stress.
The expert warned that unchecked spending on unrealistic projections could lead to higher debt and inflation, worsening the economic situation for ordinary Nigerians. He expressed concerns about sustaining such high debt levels and urged caution in revenue forecasting to prevent additional economic instability.