Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has signed into law the 2025 appropriation bill passed by the State House of Assembly. The governor signed the N1.558 trillion budget on Thursday at the Council Chamber of Government House, Minna.
In his remarks, Umaru Bago commended the lawmakers for their expeditious scrutiny and passage of the bill within just a week of its presentation, describing it as unprecedented. He praised the leadership of the 10th State Assembly for setting a pace for the entire nation and reiterated his administration's commitment to strengthening the existing synergy with the legislative arm of government. He urged the legislators to invoke the instrument of oversight to ensure ministries, departments, and agencies comply with the budget.
Similarly, the governor signed into law the Niger State Power Sector Law 2024, which will commence operation from December 19, 2024. The law provides for the establishment of the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Niger State Electricity Company, Niger State Electricity Agency, and other related purposes. It covers electricity dealings within the state, including generation, transmission, trading, electric power exchange dealings, distribution, and retail supply system operation.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, explained that the Assembly commenced budget screening about three months ago. He attributed the quick passage to the outstanding performance of the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mustapha Ndajiwo, who ensured all due processes were diligently carried out, making their job easier. The Assembly only ensured that the usual rituals were done and that resources were judiciously allocated in the budget.
The speaker applauded the governor for his sagacity and support to the legislature, assuring him that the State Assembly will continue to deepen the existing cordial relationship with the executive arm of government for the realisation of the New Niger agenda.
Governor Umaru Bago had presented the 2025 estimate, tagged "The Budget of Hope for Food Security and Sustainability," to the State Assembly on December 12, 2024. The speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, promised that the legislators would work assiduously to ensure its quick passage.
The Niger State House of Assembly has passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, titled the “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security.” The bill, presented by the Chairman of the Standing House Committee on Planning and Appropriation, Zubairu Ismaila (Rafi constituency), was adopted with minor adjustments but retained the total budget sum of ₦1,558,887,565,385.00.
Ismaila reported that the committee, after reviewing reports from various House committees, adopted the budget as presented by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The budget comprises ₦1,359,652,203,915.00 for capital expenditure and ₦199,235,361,443.00 for recurrent expenditure.
Adjustments included an increase in the overhead for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from ₦30 million to ₦50 million, reallocating ₦20 million from the Pension and Gratuity fund.
Ismaila emphasised the need for the executive to present the budget bill at least three months before the end of the year to allow for thorough deliberation and scrutiny. He also noted that a public sitting was conducted with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission, Niger State Internal Revenue Services, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, and Debt Management Bureau.
The bill, after going through the third reading presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, was passed into law.
