The National Assembly Joint Committee on Solid Minerals on Friday rejected the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development’s 2025 budget estimates, citing that the proposed funding was grossly inadequate.
The rejection followed the budget presentation by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake. The chairman of the joint committee, Senator Ekong Sampson, criticized the allocation, emphasizing the sector’s importance to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
Senator Diket Plang (APC-Plateau) moved a motion to reject the budget, which was seconded by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi). Plang expressed dissatisfaction that the ministry only received N9 billion as an envelope allocation out of its proposed N539.7 billion for capital expenditure.
Senator Sampson added, “The estimates presented before us are grossly inadequate and will not help our economy at this critical period when we must invest in the future. The budget for this sector needs a radical upward review. In the meantime, we will suspend further decisions on this budget unless those steps are taken.”
He further urged the government to take bold steps in exploration, data gathering, and addressing major challenges in the solid minerals sector, which is crucial for Nigeria’s development.
The committee co-chairman, Gaza Gbefwi, also supported the suspension of the budget review. He said, “We are here to pass a budget for Nigerians and the progress of this country. I propose that we step down this screening and invite the Minister of Planning and Budget to appear before this committee.”
Earlier, Minister Dele Alake had presented a total budget proposal of N541.7 billion for 2025, including N539.7 billion for capital expenditure and N2 billion for overhead costs.
He lamented the N9 billion envelope allocation, stating, “In contrast to the objective of diversifying Nigeria’s economy, the envelope we received was a far cry from our proposal. We rely on your support to correct this anomaly.”
Alake also highlighted the ministry’s achievements in 2024, generating N37.8 billion in revenue, far above the N11 billion target, despite only 18% performance in capital projects due to limited budget releases.
The committee has called for the Minister of Planning and Budget to address the concerns, delaying further action on the ministry’s 2025 budget until the funding allocation is reviewed.
The solid minerals sector is seen as vital to Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil. Lawmakers insist that adequate funding is necessary to achieve this goal.
