Speaking to journalists on Friday, Agbese praised the administration for its commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and sustainable economic growth, while commending the leadership of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
He described Bagudu’s approach as “meticulous planning to align Nigeria’s economy with current realities.”
Budget Breakdown and Delays
The 2025 budget, signed into law in December 2024, allocated:
- N4.91 trillion for defence
- N4.06 trillion for infrastructure
- N3.5 trillion for education
- N2.4 trillion for health
However, eight months into the fiscal year, delays in capital spending have slowed down major projects, sparking public frustration and calls for an extension into 2026.
Agbese countered such concerns, arguing that what some perceive as delay is in fact due diligence.
“Some see delays, but I see diligence in how Bagudu is ensuring fiscal responsibility, verifying expenditures, and aligning Nigeria’s budget with global standards,” he said.
Optimism for Rollout
The lawmaker assured that the minister’s efforts would pave the way for a smooth rollout by late September, crediting Bagudu with driving transformative reforms in budget execution.
“Bagudu ensures our budget addresses critical needs like infrastructure and healthcare, while building a resilient future for generations,” Agbese said.
Tinubu’s Reforms and Economic Gains
Highlighting Tinubu’s policy direction, Agbese pointed to reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and the unification of exchange rates, which he said contributed to a 3.46 percent GDP growth in Q3 2024 alongside rising foreign reserves.
“This shows the government is delivering results, not rhetoric,” he added.
Response to U.S. Transparency Report
Agbese also dismissed the U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Fiscal Transparency Report, which flagged Nigeria for weak procurement processes. He described the assessment as outdated, stressing that Nigeria’s Open Contracting Portaland Bureau of Public Procurement now enforce strict, transparent tendering rules.
“Contract awards under Tinubu follow the Procurement Act and are open to global scrutiny,” he said, noting that Bagudu’s reforms had empowered citizens to flag irregularities, with lawmakers providing additional oversight.
Looking Ahead
Agbese urged Nigerians to trust the administration, assuring that visible results would be evident before year-end.
“By December, expect roads, schools, and hospitals transforming communities. With leaders like Bagudu, Nigerians will soon see tangible change: new infrastructure, better education, and improved healthcare uplifting lives nationwide,” he declared.
