Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has announced that the 2025 budget for State House agencies will be formulated based on a thorough needs assessment. This approach aims to ensure that the funds allocated to these agencies align with their actual requirements.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Abuja after a fact-finding tour of several government agencies under the State House's supervision, Gbajabiamila highlighted the importance of prioritizing resources in line with the administration's goals.
"In any country in the world, resources are limited. For us, it is about prioritising. Where are we so far? What have the agencies done? How have they measured up to their mandates and how important are their mandates in terms of the vision of this administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda?" Gbajabiamila stated.
He further mentioned that many agencies are not adequately funded, raising questions about whether some should be merged or scrapped. However, he clarified that this assessment does not specifically target State House agencies.
"In 2025, we are not going to budget in a vacuum. We will budget based on needs assessment," Gbajabiamila added.
During his visit, Gbajabiamila engaged with the heads and staff of various agencies, pledging that the Presidency would work towards improving their welfare and working conditions. He urged agency staff to embrace innovation, excellence, and professionalism while supporting their leaders.
He also stressed the importance of transparency in procurement processes, a key aspect of the administration’s commitment to good governance and accountability.
The Chief of Staff visited the Nigeria Agriculture and Land Development Agency (NALDA), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). He was accompanied by Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff; Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary, State House; and Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Administration and Operations (Office of the Chief of Staff).
