By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi
The Senate has announced plans to suspend plenary sessions for two weeks starting from January 14, 2025, to focus on the consideration of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget. This decision comes as the National Assembly begins committee-level reviews of the budget proposal.
According to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the suspension will allow for thorough and efficient consideration of the budget. The Senate has also scheduled an open day for Thursday, January 9, 2025, to gather inputs from various stakeholders, including heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).²
The tentative timeline for the budget consideration includes: budget defence sessions, beginning on January 7, 2025, with reports expected from various committees between January 15 and 18, 2025. The final report on the budget is expected to be laid before the Senate on January 31, 2025, although this date is tentative.
Senator Adeola emphasized that despite the short timeframe, the Senate is committed to ensuring a thorough and efficient consideration of the budget. The House of Representatives is also expected to begin budget defence sessions on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
