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2025 Budget: FCTA Secretariats, Departments to Spend N351.2bn on Capital Projects

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has earmarked N418.9 billion for its Secretariat, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) in the N1.78 trillion 2025 proposed statutory budget.Out of the N418.9 billion, N351 billion was set aside for capital expenditure and new projects, said the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, during the budget defence at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Wike explained that out of the amount, N79.
3 billion was allocated to the Transportation Secretariat with N53 billion set aside for capital expenditure and N27 billion proposed for recurrent expenditure.He added that out of the capital expenditure, N25 billion was for the Abuja Light Rail Project rolling stock and provisions for other phases of the project.
He also said that N24 billion was earmarked for Bus Terminals development at Kugbo, Mabushi and Centre Business District.In the education sector, the minister said that N181 billion was allocated to the Education Secretariat, out of which N61 billion was for recurrent expenditure and N120 billion for capital expenditure.The minister said that the N120 billion include N8 billion set aside as Universal Basic Education Board counterpart fund.He further said that a total of N54 billion was earmarked for the Health Secretariat, out of which N20 billion was for capital projects.He added that N34 billion was for recurrent expenditure, of which N1.3 billion was earmarked for Drug Revolving g Fund.“The FCT Administration, through the budget, seeks to complete the upgrading and rehabilitation of FCT hospitals.“This will enhance the capacity of some of our hospitals through the procurement of modern hospital equipment and ambulances,” he said.In the environmental sector, the minister said that the FCT Administration has proposed N22.9 billion for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).He said that out of the amount, N3.9 was for capital projects while N19 billion was for operations and recurrent expenditure.He explained that the AEPB was charged with the statutory function of ensuring and maintaining a clean and healthy environment for inhabitants of the FCT.He disclosed that the city cleaning contracts require more than N12.3 billion per annum, while the maintenance of the Wupa Sewage Treatment Plant requires about N2.7 billion annually.“We are also reviewing our mode of operations to initiate a more cost-efficient city cleaning strategy in the 2025 fiscal year,” he said.To improve water supply in the FCT, Wike said that a total of N37.4 billion was set aside to enhance water treatment.He added that out of the figure, N7.7 billion was earmarked for water treatment chemicals while N29.4 billion was for FCT Water Board”s personnel, overhead and capital expenditure.“Through the 2025 statutory budget, we shall accelerate the implementation of the Greater Abuja Water Project being executed through a China Exim Bank Loan but for which we are to make counterpart funding provision.“The completion of implementation of the project will extend water supply to about 26 districts and layouts.“Noting the wide gap between current revenue generation in the water sector and its inherent potentials, as well as the need to minimise wastages, we are at advanced stage of exploiting Public Private Partnership for the deployment of pre-paid meters for dispensing of water at points of consumption.“The successful implementation of this initiative will greatly assist in addressing the revenue shortfalls of the Sector,” he assured.Wike further said that N8.3 billion was proposed for the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat to improve agricultural production and engagement of youths in agriculture.This, according to him, will enhance food security, income and better standards of living in the rural communities.“With N4 billion earmarked for capital projects, we shall invest in the provision of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, agro-chemicals and fertilizer among others and developed cluster farm centers in both the livestock and crop production sub-sectors,” he said.On social development sector, the minister said that a total of N23.7 billion was allocated to promote gender, youths, children development, and other vulnerable groups in the FCT.He added that funds would also go into promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s art and culture within the FCT.The allocation, he added, would also be challenged towards the development of sports, through the provision of sporting, cultural and recreational facilities.He also said that while the FCT Legal Services Secretariat got N7.7 billion, with N5 billion meant for capital expenditure, a total of N1.5 billion was earmarked for Land Department to cover personnel, overhead and capital expenditure.He added that the Area Council Services Secretariat got a total of N37.1 billion towards ensuring effective and efficient service delivery for rural transformation, improving quality of lives of the citizens and strengthening traditional institutions.The minister has earlier explained that out of the N1.78 trillion propose budget, N1.28 trillion was earmarked for capital projects, representing 72.3 per cent, while N494.1 billion was set aside as recurrent expenditure, representing 27.7 per cent. (NAN)

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Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

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By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.

“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.

Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.

“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.

“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.

“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.

Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.

He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.

“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”

Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.

The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.

“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.

“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.

Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.

He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”

Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.

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C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

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The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.

Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.

The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.

Bassey Otu.

The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.

She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.

“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.

‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’

Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.

According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.

“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.

Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.

Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.

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Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

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The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.

The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.

Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.

The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.

This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

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