A recent analysis of the 2024 Appropriations Bill has unveiled a staggering revelation: the N197 billion budget allocated to the National Assembly surpasses the total allocations to 25 federal universities combined. This significant allocation to the federal Legislature has raised eyebrows, particularly as it contrasts with the financial challenges faced by numerous sectors in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu’s approach to the National Assembly’s budget has been viewed by critics as a continuation of a historical trend, favoring lawmakers at a time when citizens grapple with economic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and the merger of the Naira exchange rates. Tinubu’s initial Money Bill in July, amounting to a generous N70 billion for lawmakers’ settlement, resulted in the acquisition of luxury SUVs reportedly costing N160 million each.
During the budget presentation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s remark, “Our old boys are running the Executive,” shed light on the dominance of former National Assembly members in key government positions, suggesting a potential explanation for the generous budgetary allocations.
Contrary to claims of a stagnant budget, the National Assembly’s budget has experienced steady growth over the past four years, reaching its highest at N228 billion in 2023. Lawmakers’ assertions of financial constraints are contested by evidence pointing to consistent increments.
Despite their budgetary concerns, lawmakers receive substantial monthly incomes, with senators earning over N13.5 million on average and members of the House of Representatives taking home over N9 million. Former Representative Adejoro Adeogun revealed earning over N450 million during his four-year term, highlighting a stark contrast with the country’s monthly minimum wage of N30,000.
The proposed N197 billion budget for 2024 exceeds the combined budgets of 26 federal universities, exacerbating concerns about the prioritization of legislative funding over crucial sectors like education. The disparity underscores the challenges faced by universities, where a significant portion of the budget is allocated to personnel costs, leaving limited resources for research, capital projects, and overheads.
As the government grapples with funding issues in the education sector, recent revelations indicate a history of legislative committees engaging in questionable practices, such as demanding funds from universities under the guise of investigations. Despite persistent struggles for increased funding in the education sector, universities continue to face financial challenges, leading to prolonged strikes and disruptions in academic activities.
The implications of allocating a budget higher than the combined funding for universities raise questions about the government’s priorities and the need for equitable distribution of resources to address pressing challenges across various sectors.