NDDC proposes N1.75trn 2025 budget as Reps, Senate demand results

By Christiana Ekpa

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has proposed a N1.75 trillion budget for the 2025 fiscal year, signalling a shift from what it described as “transactional” spending to a more transformational, people-focused development strategy for the Niger Delta region.
The proposal was presented on yesterday, during budget defence the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC scrutinised the Commission’s plans and performance.
Speaking at the House Committee session, Chairman of the Committee on NDDC, Rt. Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, said the 2025 budget would not be treated as “business as usual,” stressing that every allocation must deliver measurable benefits to Niger Delta communities.
“The NDDC budget remains the principal vehicle for delivering development to the Niger Delta.
This Committee will subject every line item to rigorous scrutiny to ensure value for money, transparency, and tangible outcomes in infrastructure, human capacity development, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion,” Ibori-Suenu said.
She added that the proposed budget must align strictly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, warning that projects lacking clear impact and people-centred objectives would not be tolerated.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, while presenting the 2025 budget estimates to the Senate Committee on NDDC, said the Commission had recorded strong revenue performance under the 2024 “Budget of Renewed Hope.”
According to him, the Commission projected N1.911 trillion as aggregate revenue for the 2024 budget but recorded N1.945 trillion as of October 31, 2025, representing a 104 per cent performance. He attributed the improvement largely to the extension of the 2024 budget to December 31, 2025.
Dr. Ogbuku explained that the 2025 budget, themed “Budget of Consolidation,” reflects a deliberate no-borrowing approach and a 9 per cent reduction from the 2024 budget. He said the focus would be on sustainable economic growth, sectoral funding, and completion of impactful projects.
Under the proposal, personnel costs are estimated at N47.5 billion, while overhead costs stand at N96.4 billion. Capital expenditure will account for the bulk of spending, with renewed emphasis on critical infrastructure and the adoption of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to drive sustainable development.
The NDDC boss also disclosed that the Commission had abandoned the old line-item budgeting system in favour of sectoral allocations and stricter performance management frameworks, ensuring that only programmes tied to measurable outcomes receive funding.
Both committees of the National Assembly commended the Commission’s stated reforms but insisted that accountability, transparency, and project delivery must remain paramount.
The budget defence sessions ended with assurances from the NDDC management of closer collaboration with the 10th National Assembly to accelerate development and improve the welfare of Niger Delta communities.