BudgIT Raises Alarm Over N80 Million ‘Pregnancy Sensitization’ Insertion in NASRDA Budget

Story Summary: 

• BudgIT Raises Concerns: BudgIT Nigeria exposed an N80 million budget allocation for ‘Pregnancy Sensitization’ in the 2024 budget of the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).
• Alleged Budget Insertion: The civic group accused lawmakers of inserting the allocation for personal enrichment.
• Criticism of Lawmakers: BudgIT criticized the inclusion, calling it a form of looting through budget manipulations by members of the National Assembly.
• Call for Public Vigilance: BudgIT urged Nigerians to hold lawmakers accountable as the 2025 budget is soon to be released.
• Budget Increase: The House of Representatives had earlier raised the 2024 national budget from N28.7 trillion to N35.055 trillion, including an additional N6.2 trillion in supplementary funding.

BudgIT Nigeria has raised concerns over a controversial N80 million allocation for ‘Pregnancy Sensitization’ in the 2024 budget of the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA). The civic organization revealed this in a video shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.

According to BudgIT, the allocation was reportedly inserted by lawmakers for personal gain. The group accused members of the National Assembly of exploiting the budgeting process to enrich themselves through questionable projects.

In its statement, BudgIT questioned the relevance of the allocation, saying, “N80 million to a Space Agency for pregnancy sensitization? This is National Assembly members looting through budget insertions! They are inserting projects for personal gain. We can’t let this continue.”

The civic group called on Nigerians to remain vigilant as the 2025 budget is set to be released, urging citizens to hold their lawmakers accountable for such practices. “Nigerians, shine your eyes and hold your lawmakers accountable,” BudgIT stated.

The House of Representatives had earlier increased the 2024 national budget from N28.7 trillion to N35.055 trillion, including an additional N6.2 trillion in supplementary budget allocations.