The house of representatives committee on appropriation says the budget defence by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) will begin on Tuesday.

Abubakar Bichi, chairman of the committee, spoke in Abuja on Monday while addressing journalists ahead of the budget defence.

On December 18, President Bola Tinubu presented the proposed 2025 budget of N49.7 trillion to the national assembly.

Tinubu said the proposed budget reinforces his administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for Nigeria.

“This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilising the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance,” Tinubu had said.

On December 19, the appropriation bill scaled the second reading at the senate and house of representatives.

After a meeting with members of the committee on Monday, Bichi told journalists that the defence will end on January 17.

He said the reports on the exercise will be presented before the house on January 31.

“We are going to study the budget. All our committees will study the budget. I believe the budget is for Nigerians (and) for our development—infrastructure and other important things—and I am sure Nigerians will be happy with it,” the lawmaker said.

“We just had an integration meeting today for the 2025 appropriation bill. You have been aware that the president has presented the budget to us, and by tomorrow we will start the budget defence by all the MDAs.

“From tomorrow to the 17th, we are going to do our budget defence and we will likely harmonise by the 22nd.”