At least 32 people have tragically lost their lives during a stampede at a children’s carnival in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Wednesday.

A statement from the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, revealed that the stampede occurred at a private children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun, resulting in the deaths of 32 people, mostly children, with some others sustaining injuries.

He mentioned that the state government promptly deployed a rapid response team to the site following the incident.

The commissioner confirmed that the victims have been transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for medical treatment.

While thanking the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for quickly activating all available response teams to assist at the scene, Oyelade emphasized that the state government will do everything possible to support the victims of the stampede during this difficult time.

He noted that the sate government was not involved in the planning of the carnival, adding that the Ministry of Health was also not carried along in the organisation of the private end of the year children funfair.

Oyelade emphasised the importance of proper coordination when organising events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.

“We are currently awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident,” he said.

The commissioner urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where affected children were taken for proper medical attention, with a valid means of identification:

• Patnas Hospital, Basorun
• Western Hospital, Basorun
• Ringroad State Hospital
• Molly Specialist Hospital
• University College Hospital (UCH)

“Oyo State Government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary supports arranged for the victims,” he added.

Being text of the 2025 budget presentation by President Bola Tinubu to a joint session of the national assembly on December 18, 2024.

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My Fellow Nigerians,

1. In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties and with unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on the journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 Budget to the Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly.

2. On this day, before this hallowed chamber, I present to you the 2025 Budget at a time when our country is at a crucial point in its development trajectory.

3. The 2025 Budget Proposal again reinforces our administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for our beloved nation. 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 stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance.

4. The journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which we began 18 months ago as a nation, is very much underway. It is not a journey of our choosing but one we had to embark on for Nigeria to have a real chance at greatness. I thank every Nigerian for embarking on this journey of REFORMS and TRANSFORMATION with us.

5. The road of reforms is now clearly upon us, and as the President of this blessed nation, I know this less-travelled road has not been easy. That there have been difficulties and sacrifices. They will not be in vain. And we must keep faith with the process to arrive at our collectively desired destination.

6. We must build on the progress we have made in the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy and ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn.

7. The 2025 budget that I present today is one of restoration. It seeks to consolidate the key policies we have instituted to restructure our economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy.

8. We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence.

9. The improvements we witnessed in the 2024 budget have led us into the 2025 budget. The goals of advancing national security, creating economic opportunities, investing in our youthful population, infrastructure development, and national re-orientation form the core of the 2025 budget. But more than that, this will lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future growth trajectory.

CURRENT ECONOMIC REALITIES AND PROGRESS

10. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, I report today that our economy is responding positively to stimulus. Our objective is to further stimulate the economy through the implementation of targeted fiscal stimulus packages through public expenditures and specific non-inflationary spending.

11. The reforms we have instituted are beginning to yield results. Nigerians will soon experience a better and more functional economy.

12. Global economic growth for the outgoing year 2024 was projected at 3.2 percent, and against predictions, our country made significant progress.

* Our economy grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the third quarter of 2023.

* Our Foreign Reserves now stand at nearly 42 billion US dollars, providing a robust buffer against external shocks.

* Our rising exports are reflected in the current trade surplus, which now stands at 5.8 trillion naira, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

13. These clear results of gradual recovery, among others, reflect the resilience of our economy and the impact of deliberate policy choices we made from the outset.

2024 BUDGET PERFORMANCE

14. I am happy to inform this National Assembly that our administration attained remarkable milestones in implementing the 2024 Budget. In 2024, we achieved:

* 14.55 trillion naira in revenue, meeting 75 percent of our target as of the third quarter.

* 21.60 trillion naira in expenditure, representing 85 percent of our target, also in the third quarter.

15. While challenges persist, we improved revenue collection and fulfilled key obligations. The transformational effects of this on our economy are gradually being felt.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE 2025 BUDGET

16. The 2025 Budget seeks to:

* Restore macroeconomic stability.

* Enhance the business environment.

* Foster inclusive growth, employment, and poverty reduction.

* Promote equitable income distribution and human capital development.

17. Our budgetary allocations reflect the administration’s strategic priorities, especially in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda and its developmental objectives.

2025 BUDGET OVERVIEW

18. The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society.

* In 2025, we are targeting 34.82 trillion naira in revenue to fund the budget.

* Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing.

* A total of 13.08 trillion naira, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit.

19. This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.

20. The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 percent to 15 percent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day (mbpd).

21. These projections are based on the following observations:

* Reduced importation of petroleum products alongside increased export of finished petroleum products.

* Bumper harvests, driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports.

* Increased foreign exchange inflows through Foreign Portfolio Investments.

* Higher crude oil output and exports, coupled with a substantial reduction in upstream oil and gas production costs.

KEY PRIORITIES: REBUILDING NIGERIA

22. Our budgetary allocations underscore this administration’s strategic priorities, particularly in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and achieving its developmental objectives.

23. Highlights of the 2025 Budget Allocations:

* Defence and Security: N4.91 trillion

* Infrastructure: N4.06 trillion

* Health: N2.48 trillion

* Education: N3.52 trillion

24. As we embark on implementing the 2025 Budget, our steps are deliberate, our decisions resolute, and our priorities are clear. This budget reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision.

Securing Our Nation:

25. Security is the foundation of all progress. We have significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and police forces to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory. The government will continue to provide our security forces with the modern tools and technology they need to keep us safe. Boosting the morale of our men and women in the armed forces will remain our government’s top priority.

26. The officers, men, and women of our Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force are the shields and protectors of our nation. Our administration will continue to empower them to defeat insurgency, banditry, and all threats to our sovereignty. Our people should never live in fear—whether on their farmlands, highways or cities. By restoring peace, we restore productivity, revive businesses, and rebuild our communities.

Infrastructure Development:

27. When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the conviction that infrastructure remains the backbone of every thriving economy. Under this programme, we are accelerating investments in energy, transport, and public works. By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs. We have already embarked on key legacy projects: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will have a huge impact on the lives of our people and accelerate economic output.

Human Capital Development:

28. Our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are making record investments in education, healthcare, and social services:

* Our administration has so far disbursed 34 billion naira to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). In the 2025 Budget, we have made provision for 826.90 billion naira for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the nine new higher educational institutions.

* We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria. In this way, we have allocated 402 billion naira for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 Budget and another 282.65 billion naira for the Basic Health Care Fund. Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians. This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency.

Revitalizing Agriculture:

29. Increasing agricultural production is central to our food security agenda, but insecurity has crippled this vital sector. We are supporting our farmers with funding and inputs to reignite productivity. Food security is non-negotiable. In this regard, we are taking bold steps to ensure that every Nigerian can feed conveniently, and none of our citizens will have to go to bed hungry.

30. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly and fellow Nigerians, our 2025 budget proposal is not just another statement on projected government revenue and expenditures. It is one that calls for action.

31. Our nation faces existential threats from corruption and insecurity and suffers from many past poor choices. These challenges are surmountable when we work collaboratively to overcome them. We must rewrite the narrative of this nation together, with every leader, institution, and citizen playing their part.

32. The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act. A time to support and promote greater investment in the private sector. A time for our civil servants to faithfully execute our policies and programmes. It is a time for every Nigerian to look hopefully towards a brighter future because a new day has dawned for us as a nation.

33. As your President, I remain committed and resolute to continue to lead the charge.

34. This 2025 budget proposal lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and much needed hope. It is the plan through which a Nigeria where every citizen can dream, work, and thrive in safety can be achieved.

35. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I lay before this distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly the 2025 Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria titled “The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.

36. May God bless our Armed Forces and keep them safe. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Barring any last-minute twist, President Bola Tinubu has just arrived at the National Assembly Complex with his entourage to present the 2025 budget proposal before a joint session of parliament.

The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved the N47.96tn budget estimate for the 2025 fiscal year.

Consequently, security agents, including operatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sergeant-At-Arms, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, are restricting access to the complex, assuring that only those with legitimate business related to the proposed budget presentation are allowed entry through the gates.

Staff members of the National Assembly providing clerical and other auxiliary services were on Tuesday instructed to remain at home until the President’s visit was over.

More to come…