In anticipation of President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday, security measures at the National Assembly have been significantly enhanced. Men from the Department of State Services deployed at entrance gates are strictly controlling access to the complex.
President Tinubu’s government recently approved a substantial N27 trillion for the 2024 appropriation, a decision ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly meeting on Monday, presided over by the president himself.
This marks Tinubu’s first annual budget presentation, coming just weeks after presenting the 2023 supplementary budget. The Senate had approved the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget amid concerns about the nation’s significant debt profile.
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It was revealed earlier the Senate’s approval of President Tinubu’s request for a $7.8 billion and €100 million borrowing plan. The borrowing plan was submitted to the Senate by Tinubu through a letter read during a plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Journalists, eager to cover the event, faced unexpected hurdles as security insisted on designated “2024 Budget Presentation” tags for entry. Even those with official identification cards and National Assembly passes were denied access until the required tags arrived later in the day.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, arrived early for the day’s proceedings. Security personnel turned away auxiliary workers, media aides, and visitors without the designated tags.
