BY
JOSEPH MONDAY
Owerri Imo State– Chinedu Nsofor, Nigeria’s Programmes Director at Asia Pacific Sports International, a seasoned technocrat, professional social worker, and an International Development Expert, has strongly condemned the National Assembly following disturbing revelations that lawmakers allegedly inserted projects worth ₦6.93 trillion into the proposed 2025 national budget.
According to a recent investigation by BudgIT, a leading civic technology organisation advocating for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public finance which was reported by Sahara Reporters, this staggering insertion was made without due process, accountability, or alignment with pressing national development goals. The exposé alleges widespread duplication of projects and the allocation of funds to vague and non-essential items.
“This is not just financial recklessness; it is economic terrorism against the Nigerian people,” Chinedu Nsofor stated firmly. “At a time when the nation is bleeding from inflation, debt, unemployment, and insecurity, our lawmakers have chosen to loot through legislation rather than lead with integrity.”
The amount in question reportedly represents over 30% of the entire national budget, which should trigger national outrage and investigation of massive corruption in the National Assembly. Nsofor lamented the misplaced priorities of some members of the National Assembly, stating that the country deserves better.
“₦6.93 trillion could fund thousands of schools, revamp our hospitals, boost food production, and improve our power sector,” he continued. “Instead, it is being siphoned through shady constituency projects and political patronage.”
Nsofor called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Budget Office to withstand legislative pressure and defend the integrity of the 2025 budget. Chinedu further called on the EFCC, ICPC, and civil society organizations to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the padded components of the budget and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable. He is also advocating for an institutionalized annual audit across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by the EFCC and ICPC, emphasizing that such routine scrutiny would deter budget padding, promote transparency, and restore public confidence in the budgeting process.
“This brazen act must not go unpunished. We must reset the culture of public service in Nigeria. If we tolerate this, then we have institutionalized corruption as a national policy,” he warned.
Chinedu Nsofor reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for transparency, participatory governance, and budget justice — not only as a civic advocate but also in his vision for a new Nigeria.
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