The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed N126 billion for its 2025 budget.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, presented while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly on Friday.
He begged the National Assembly to accept the 2025 budget, which is almost three times larger than the one passed the previous year.
According to our 2025 plan, the Commission needs N126 billion. To ensure that we have sufficient funding for the duties we must fulfill—the majority of which are constitutional and not limited to the Electoral Act—we would appreciate the cooperation of the members of the National Assembly, Prof. Yakubu stated.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu voiced his concerns about the high expense of holding elections in Nigeria, calling it cumbersome and excessive.
He highlighted that despite INEC being one of the largest employers in the country, it operated on a reduced budget of N40 billion last year, significantly lower than the N80 billion initially requested.
He emphasized the financial strain this has placed on the commission’s ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
In a bid to address these challenges, he appealed to the lawmakers to organize a retreat where both the legislature and INEC can collaborate, exchange ideas, and find solutions to the pressing issues affecting the electoral process in Nigeria.
The INEC Chair further lamented the deteriorating state of INEC’s facilities, particularly the 860 buildings across the country, which are in urgent need of repair.
