President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the National Assembly to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill before the joint session of the legislature.
The President entered the chamber alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima at exactly 12:12 PM. Prior to his arrival, key dignitaries, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and several ministers, had already arrived at the complex.
In his welcome address, Senate President Godswill Akpabio noted the challenges facing the country and reiterated the need for impactful reforms. He stated, “We will not kill any reform in our interest. We cannot do the same thing over and over and expect a different result.”
Akpabio further revealed that the National Assembly has extended the 2024 budget to June 2025. He added, “We increased the 2025 budget by 50 percent. The extension of the 2024 budget will be brought before you soon.” The Senate President also urged President Tinubu to instruct his ministers to honour invitations from the National Assembly, warning that lawmakers would exercise their powers against any minister who refuses to comply.
At 12:41 PM, President Tinubu began his speech. The National Assembly complex was under heavy security, with reinforcements from various security agencies. As part of the measures, all business operators, including banks and food vendors, were instructed to shut down for the day. Non-essential staff and visitors were directed to stay away, with only accredited essential staff and a limited number of journalists allowed into the premises.
Earlier in the day, Senators and House of Representatives members were seen arriving at the Green Chamber, where the joint session was scheduled to take place. This follows the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval on Monday of a ₦47.96 trillion estimated expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is presiding over the joint session alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.
