INEC Requests N126 Billion from Federal Government to Fund 2025 Electoral Operations
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally requested an increase in its budget allocation to N126 billion, a significant jump from the N40 billion currently earmarked for its operations in the 2025 budget estimates. This request was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a budget defense session with the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters in Abuja on Friday.
In his speech, Professor Yakubu emphasized the growing financial burden of conducting elections in Nigeria, highlighting the need for adequate funding to ensure a smooth electoral process. “Our proposal for the 2025 budget requires over N126 billion,” he stated. “We have prepared a detailed document outlining our planned expenditures line by line.”
Yakubu urged the National Assembly to support INEC in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities, pointing out that the current N40 billion budget allocation would only cover about one-third of the anticipated expenses. He explained, “The budget we’ve been given will not even cover personnel costs, especially with the new minimum wage in effect.”
In addition to the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies and the Anambra governorship election slated for this year, the Chairman noted that the N40 billion budget would not be sufficient. He also mentioned that the electoral body had previously relied on intervention funds of N10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo elections in 2024, along with an additional N500 million for upcoming bye-elections.
Members of the committee expressed their support for the requested funding, with Senator Ireti Kingibe affirming that the focus should not merely be on seeking the N126 billion but on ensuring its provision in the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
In the following of this discussion, the committee agreed to enter a closed-door session with the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners to explore strategies for securing and appropriating the necessary funds in the upcoming budget.
