The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has presented a budget estimate of N1.75 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Senate Committee on NDDC, chaired by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, chaired by Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake.

Presenting the budget proposals at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the 2025 Budget, with the theme “Budget of Consolidation,” builds on the gains of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope and reflects the Commission’s deliberate shift from transactional to transformational development, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ogbuku expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the current NDDC Management, as well as the Supervising Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, for his strategic guidance. He also commended the leadership and members of the 10th National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House Committees on NDDC, for their constructive oversight and partnership.

He noted that the growing credibility and improved public perception of the Commission were the result of synergy among the NDDC Board and Management, the Ministry of Regional Development, and the National Assembly, stressing that legislative oversight remained a partnership anchored in accountability, transparency, and measurable impact.

Ogbuku noted the 2025 estimate represented a nine per cent reduction from the N1.985 trillion proposed and appropriated for the 2024 fiscal year.

He told the Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong-led committee that the proposed N1.75 trillion budget was expected to be funded from multiple sources, including N776.5 billion from the Federal Government; N752.8 billion from oil companies; N109.4 billion in revenue brought forward from 2024; N53.67 billion in recoveries from federal government agencies; and N8.35 billion in internally generated revenue.

A breakdown of the proposal showed that N1.631 trillion was earmarked for project execution across the Niger Delta region, while N223 billion was allocated to internal projects.

Personnel cost was put at N47.56 billion, with N49.929 billion set aside for overhead expenditure.

On the performance of the 2024 budget, Ogbuku informed the committee that as of October 31, 2025, the commission’s actual revenue stood at N1.985 trillion, exceeding the initial target of N1.911 trillion.

He attributed the improved revenue performance largely to the extension of the 2024 budget implementation to December 31, 2025.

The Managing Director also disclosed that the Commission had abandoned line-item budgeting in favour of sectoral allocations, a move aimed at reducing project delays and improving efficiency.

Following the presentation, the committee held a closed-door session with the NDDC management to review both the budget proposal and the status of ongoing and completed projects across the Niger Delta.

Briefing journalists after the session, Chairman of the committee, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the Senate Committee would embark on an extensive oversight tour of NDDC projects in the nine Niger Delta states in January 2026.

According to him, the committee critically examined reports on ongoing and completed projects during the closed session and resolved to verify claims through physical inspection.

“At the closed-door session, critical looks were taken at ongoing and completed projects by the commission, and the committee resolved to carry out an extensive oversight tour across the nine Niger Delta states in January next year,” Ekpenyong said.

He added that while NDDC recorded significant project delivery in the outgoing fiscal year, expectations remained high for improved performance in the coming year, particularly in ensuring value for money and timely completion of projects.

Similarly, the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC stated that the Commission’s proposed N1.75 trillion 2025 budget must translate into tangible development outcomes for communities across the Niger Delta.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, gave the assurance during the NDDC’s budget defence session, warning that lawmakers would not treat the proposal as a routine legislative exercise.

According to her, the budget represents renewed hope and opportunity for millions of people in the oil-producing region. “It must, therefore, be people-centred, transparent, and strictly aligned with national development priorities.

While commending the Commission’s ongoing reform efforts, the Committee Chair noted that legislative support would be tied strictly to performance and verifiable results on the ground.

• PHOTO: NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku (right), presenting the budget estimate of N1.75 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, 2.The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku (right), presenting the budget estimate of N1.75 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

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