President Bola Tinubu has resumed his duties at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja following a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom and France. On Monday, he was seen at his desk receiving a briefing from Zaccheus Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Tinubu arrived back in Abuja on Saturday, October 21, after departing the city on Wednesday, October 2, as noted in a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement indicated that the President intended to use the vacation as an opportunity to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.
During his time abroad, on October 11, Tinubu left the UK for Paris for an “important engagement,” as shared by his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari.
His return comes at a critical time, with concerns regarding delays in presenting the 2025 appropriation bill. Last week, the House of Representatives reminded the President of the requirements set out in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. This legislation mandates that the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) be submitted to the National Assembly at least three months before the annual budget is presented.
Given that there are just over two months remaining in the 2024 fiscal year, the House raised concerns about the feasibility of adequately reviewing and passing the MTEF, Fiscal Strategy Paper, and 2025 Budget Estimates before the year’s end.
Written By; Christopher Emuakpeje