I had the honour of presenting the Niger Delta Development Commission’s ₦1.75 trillion 2025 Budget to the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the NDDC, chaired by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake.

Accompanied by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye; Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai (PhD) Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and some members of the Executive Management Committee.

The 2025 proposal, christened the “Budget of Consolidation,” builds firmly on the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope and signals a deliberate shift from routine interventions to transformative development across the Niger Delta. It is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The budget reflects a prudent 9 per cent reduction from the ₦1.985 trillion 2024 appropriation, underscoring our commitment to fiscal discipline, efficiency, and value for money. Funding is projected to come from statutory federal allocations, contributions from oil and gas companies, carried-forward revenues, recoveries, and internally generated revenue. Of the total envelope, ₦1.631 trillion has been earmarked for critical regional projects, with adequate provisions for internal projects, personnel costs, and overheads. In addition, a sectoral budgeting framework has been introduced to enhance efficiency, transparency, and development impact.

On performance, I am pleased to report that as of October 31, 2024, the Commission recorded actual revenues of ₦1.985 trillion for the fiscal year, exceeding projected targets. This achievement reflects growing confidence in the Commission’s ongoing reforms and strengthened financial management processes.

We welcome the planned oversight tour of NDDC projects across the nine Niger Delta states scheduled for January 2026, and we remain resolute that the 2025 Budget will deliver measurable, people-centred outcomes that meaningfully improve livelihoods and accelerate sustainable development in the region.