Wike Defends N1.78trn 2025 FCT Budget Before National Assembly

By Sofiat Adenekan

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday defended the FCT’s N1.78 trillion statutory budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year before the Senate and House Committees on the FCT.

Defending the budget at the National Assembly, Wike disclosed that 72.30 percent of the proposed sum amounting to N1.29 trillion is allocated to capital expenditure, while the remaining 27.70 percent, or N494.13 billion, is earmarked for recurrent spending.

According to the minister, the capital budget includes N80 billion for SUKUK-funded projects, N25 billion for the Abuja Light Rail, N15 billion for the Abuja Greater Water Supply project, and N250 billion from commercial loans to complete ongoing projects in the Federal Capital City (FCC) and satellite towns.

An additional N919.69 billion is designated for ongoing capital projects and counterpart-funded initiatives to boost socio-economic development.

Breakdown of the capital allocation shows N801.5 billion to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), N137 billion to the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), and N351.2 billion to other secretariats, departments, and agencies (SDAs).

Key infrastructure projects targeted for completion include Roads B6 and B12, Arterial Road N20, FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road), the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX), and engineering infrastructure in Guzape, Wuye, and Maitama II Districts. Others include the Northern Parkway (Ring Road II to III), Old Keffi Road, Pai-Gomani Road, dualization of Kuje-Gwagwalada Road, and access roads to bus terminals.

For recurrent expenditure, the budget proposes N150.35 billion for personnel costs and N343.78 billion for overheads.

Sectoral allocations in the 2025 budget include N383.5 billion for infrastructure, N79.3 billion for transportation, N181 billion for education, N54 billion for health, and N37.4 billion for water. The environment sector is allocated N22.9 billion, agriculture N8.3 billion, social development N23.7 billion, legal services N7.7 billion, land administration N1.5 billion, and Area Councils Services Secretariat N3.1 billion.

Wike also presented the FCT’s 2025 revenue framework, projecting N1.39 trillion in distributable revenue and N391.25 billion in non-distributable revenue. He said the funding would come from the FCT’s share of the Federation Account, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and other statutory sources.

The minister commended the National Assembly for its prompt consideration of the budget proposal, noting the swift transition from first to second readings and the committee stage. He praised the lawmakers’ continued support for the FCT Administration.

“It’s not been long since Mr. President transmitted the proposal, and already we are at the committee stage. Your support has ensured we’ve never suffered delays in budget approval,” Wike said.

He also announced the inauguration of completed infrastructure projects beginning June 10, 2025, to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.

The 19-day exercise will cover both the city center and satellite towns, and lawmakers were invited to attend the ceremonies.

Speaking during the budget defense session, Chairmen of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on the FCT, Hon. Aliyu Betara and Senator Ibrahim Bomai, commended FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for the effective execution of the 2024 statutory budget, which they noted had reached an 85 percent implementation rate.

They assured the Minister of the legislature’s readiness to work collaboratively with the Administration to ensure timely passage and oversight of the 2025 statutory budget.