Politics
‘We Borrow Based On Your Approvals,’ FG Tells Lawmakers
Ekwutosblog has gathered that the Federal Government has given insight into why it was exceeding revenue targets and still borrowing, telling the National Assembly that it did that based on the approvals of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
This was disclosed during an interactive session Federal Government’s revenue generating agencies had with the Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) led National Assembly’s joint Committees on Finance, Budget and National Planning on 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work, MTEF, and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, today.
At the one-day session that lasted over four hours in Room 231, Senate wing, the revenue generating agencies made their separate presentations on 2024 budget performance and revenue projections for N49.7 trillion 2025 budget.
Senate’s query
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, all exceeded their revenue targets.
They raked in a combined revenue of N36.952 trillion, which is way above the target for the 2024 fiscal year.
At the end of their presentations, members of the Committees took them up on why the Federal Government was still seeking for foreign loans despite the high increase of internally-generated revenues.
Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP Kebbi Central) was the first to ask: “What is the Federal Government doing with excess revenues generated by the various agencies in view of its unending request for foreign loan approval?”
In his response, the FIRS boss noted that loans being requested by the executive were already part of the appropriation act.
Bagudu and Edun react
Also responding, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, explained that the lawmakers should not forget that the borrowing plans contained in the N35.5 trillion 2024 budget were primarily meant to fund the deficit which is N9.7 trillion.
Bagudu said: “Despite revenue targets surpassing by some of the revenue generating agencies, government still needs to borrow for proper funding of the budget, particularly in the area of deficit and productivity for the poorest and most vulnerable.
“We have a long term development perspective plan agenda 2050 aiming at GDP per capital of $33,000.”
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, explained to the lawmakers that borrowing was still needed for proper funding of the budget despite increased revenues made by some agencies.
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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