The grave’s appetite is unending, yet it shares this insatiability with other forces. Among them, some members of Nigeria’s National Assembly seem to rival the grave, water, and fire in their relentless hunger. The concept of “enough” appears alien to them. What truly transpires within the halls of Abuja, under the guise of representing the people, remains known only to a higher power.
This is not to imply that other branches of government are markedly better. However, when the question becomes which faction’s greed is more destructive, it signals a deeper crisis.
Recently, the Senate Committee overseeing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) approved a staggering N140 billion allocation for the commission’s 2025 budget, despite only three months remaining in the fiscal year.
Relentless Pursuit of Resources
The NCDC, established just this February, is already eager to claim its share of national funds. Following the creation of development commissions for the North East and North West regions, and with promises of similar bodies in other zones, the NCDC seems to have adopted-and even amplified-the questionable practices of its predecessors, setting a new benchmark for fiscal mismanagement.
Within the National Assembly’s culture of mutual back-scratching, the NCDC’s leadership can count on political allies in Abuja. This dynamic likely influenced the Senate Committee’s enthusiastic approval of the N140 billion budget.
“After thorough consideration of the budget details and the compelling presentation by the Managing Director and his team,” stated committee chairman Titus Zam of Benue State, “we have endorsed the commission’s proposed N140 billion budget.”
Unpacking the Numbers
While the budget has moved on to the House committee for further review, the specifics of the MD’s “compelling presentation” remain undisclosed. The depth of the Senate committee’s examination is also unclear-only that their approval seemed almost automatic.
However, a report from LEADERSHIP on October 3 reveals troubling details. The three-month budget includes N10 billion earmarked for vehicles, N9 billion for travel expenses, and N1.2 billion allocated for telephone bills, alongside a vague N6 billion for unspecified “humanitarian projects.”
Capital expenditure constitutes just 41.6% of the total budget, while recurrent costs make up 58.3%. Notably, nearly 8% of the entire budget is devoted to travel-an extravagance that raises eyebrows.
Questionable Foundations
One might argue that the current NCDC leadership did not draft this extravagant budget; rather, it was part of the 2025 fiscal plan prepared by the Executive before the commission’s board was even appointed, and subsequently passed by the National Assembly.
In effect, the Executive preemptively allocated billions to a commission that did not yet exist, based on rough estimates. It appears that N5.6 billion was shifted from the North West Development Commission’s (NWDC) allocation of N145.6 billion to the NCDC, without considering factors like the number of states (seven in the North West versus six in the North Central) or population size (the North West’s population is estimated to be twice that of the North Central). The extent of insurgency impact in each zone remains debatable.
Given that it took nine months for the NCDC to establish a board, and with only three months left in the year, why rush to approve such a hefty budget now, especially when the commission’s funding will be addressed again in 2026?
Spend Now, Question Later
If the Senate committee’s intent was genuine oversight, it would have been prudent to revise the budget considering its short remaining lifespan and allow the new board to propose and justify its funding needs in the 2026 budget cycle.
This glaring budgetary excess is no accident. It is a deliberate act, facilitated by various stakeholders, including National Assembly civil servants who may stand to benefit from contracts for the N10 billion vehicle procurement or the nebulous “humanitarian services.”
Both the committee and the new board understand that subjecting this bloated budget to rigorous scrutiny threatens their mutual interests. Hence, once funds are appropriated, the prevailing attitude is to simply disburse without question.
This reckless spending mirrors controversies like that surrounding the North East Development Commission (NEDC), where a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation was accused of misusing N544 million on trivial expenses such as grass cutting.
Excessive funding combined with poor judgment has derailed many intervention agencies nationwide, turning them into tools for political enrichment rather than vehicles for public service. Yet, the appetite for more remains unquenched.
Is there any real political will within the leadership of either legislative chamber to address this corruption? Perhaps. But following the money trail often reveals the true priorities.
In the Name of Constituency Projects
Insiders reveal that while ordinary Representatives receive N1 billion each for constituency projects and Senators get N2 billion, the leadership appropriates far larger sums-ranging from N19 billion to N120 billion. After securing their own substantial allocations, these leaders leave rank-and-file members to perform oversight roles that often serve as mere formalities or gatekeeping mechanisms.
This cycle of abuse must end. There are sufficient resources to reward politicians genuinely committed to public service, but not enough to satisfy unchecked greed that ultimately threatens the citizenry they are meant to serve.
Hope Lies with the House Committee
The House committee tasked with reviewing the budget must resist becoming a mere rubber stamp. Some members might argue that since the sum is already included in the 2025 budget, it should be approved without changes. Such a stance prioritizes personal interests over those of the North Central people, who have no use for the N1.2 billion phone bill or the N10 billion vehicle fund.
The National Assembly, through the House, has one final opportunity to restore credibility and reject the scandalous budget endorsed so readily by the Senate committee chairman. The nation watches with anticipation.
