Tinubu Writes NASS Again, Seeks Repeal and Re-Enactment of 2024–2025 Budgets

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the National Assembly (NASS) seeking the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts — a bold move intended to recalibrate Nigeria’s fiscal strategy amid persistent economic headwinds.

This action represents a significant recalibration of government budgeting, reflecting Tinubu’s renewed emphasis on aligning revenue projections with current realities, strengthening fiscal discipline, and retooling expenditure priorities for the coming years.

Why the Move Matters

The President’s request underscores the mounting challenges facing Nigeria’s economy, including:

Revenue shortfalls stemming from volatile oil prices and production constraints

Currency pressures impacting government imports and debt servicing

Rising inflation and cost of governance

Worsening insecurity affecting internal revenue mobilization

Rather than pushing ahead with spending frameworks that may be outdated or misaligned with the evolving economic landscape, the executive arm is seeking legislative consent to overhaul key budget figures.

What Tinubu Is Asking For

President Tinubu’s letter to the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives reportedly includes:

1. Repeal of the existing 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts — essentially nullifying current budget frameworks.

2. Re-enactment of updated budget figures that reflect current revenue realities, fresh expenditure priorities, and revised macro-economic assumptions.

3. Reprioritization of allocations to address strategic sectors like security, education, infrastructure, and social safety nets.

4. Stronger alignment between projected government revenue and planned spending, aimed at reducing deficits and enhancing fiscal sustainability.

While the full text of the submission has not been made public, lawmakers are expected to begin detailed committee reviews before bringing the matter to plenary for debate, amendment, and possible approval.

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Reactions from Lawmakers and Analysts

The President’s move has elicited mixed reactions from lawmakers, economists, and civil society observers:

Supportive voices argue that revisiting the budgets is both timely and necessary — particularly in light of on-the-ground realities that differ from assumptions made when the budgets were originally passed.

Critics and fiscal hawks caution that repealing and re-enacting budgets mid-cycle can create uncertainty for government contractors, state allocations, and developmental projects already underway.

Some stakeholders see this as an opportunity to:

Tighten fiscal discipline

Rebalance spending toward human capital development

Reduce waste and leakages in government outlays

Strengthen revenue performance management

Others fear the process could delay project funding, stall capital releases, and create confusion in implementation. These debates are expected to intensify as the National Assembly begins its deliberations.

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Implications for Governance and the Economy

If NASS approves the repeal and re-enactment:

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) may have to retool their work plans and capital execution schedules.

State governments may see adjustments in Federal allocations through the Federation Account and statutory transfers.

Investors and development partners will be watching closely to gauge fiscal direction and government commitment to macro stability.

In essence, this matter goes beyond line items — it is about Nigeria’s fiscal trajectory at a time when tough choices are needed to shore up the economy without sacrificing critical services.

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Conclusion

As Nigeria grapples with economic headwinds, President Tinubu’s request for budget repeal and re-enactment signals a willingness to adjust policy frameworks in real time. How lawmakers, civil society, and economic stakeholders respond will shape the nation’s fiscal blueprint in the run-up to 2026 and beyond.

What happens next in the National Assembly could redefine how Nigeria manages its public finances and navigates the balance between ambitious development goals and constrained revenue realities.