President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are set to spend a combined N9.36 billion on both local and foreign travels, as well as refreshments, in 2025, according to the 2025 Appropriation Bill released by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, as reported by Daily Trust.
In his presentation of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, President Tinubu described the fiscal document as the “Restoration Budget, Securing Peace and Building Prosperity.”
The budget allocates N7.44 billion for President Tinubu’s travel and refreshments, with N6.14 billion earmarked for his international trips and N873.9 million for local travels. Additionally, N431.6 million is set aside for the president’s meals, foodstuffs, and catering supplies.
Vice President Shettima will have N1.9 billion allocated for similar expenses, including N1.31 billion for international travels, N417.5 million for local trips, and N186.02 million for his refreshments and meals.
In 2024, President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and First Lady Remi Tinubu collectively spent over N5.24 billion on local and international travel between January and March, according to an analysis by *GovSpend*, a civic tech platform tracking government spending.
The Office of the President has also proposed N4.76 billion for vehicles, including N3.66 billion for State House operational vehicles and N1 billion for replacing Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
Furthermore, N255.7 million is allocated for additional car purchases, including N127.86 million for the procurement of SUVs for both the president and vice president, and another N127.86 million for operational vehicles at the Presidential Conference Car Unit (CCU).
The budget also includes N5.94 billion for honorarium, fuel for generators, and construction for Special Advisers’ and Senior Special Assistants’ office complex. Specifically, N2.12 billion is set aside for sitting allowances and honorarium, N1.99 billion for fuel, and N1.83 billion for the construction of the office complex for SAs and SSAs.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has passed the N49.7 trillion budget for a second reading. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the bill after deliberations, referring it to the Committee on Appropriations for further action.
The House of Representatives also passed a bill to extend the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025, which was presented by House Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvere.
Both chambers of the National Assembly will resume sittings on January 14, 2025, after observing the recess for the yuletide celebrations.
