The Federal Ministry of Justice has outlined plans to spend N2 billion on utility vehicles, their maintenance, and travel expenses for the 2025 fiscal year.
Details from the 2025 Appropriation Bill, presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 18, reveal that the ministry’s headquarters intends to allocate N460 million for vehicle-related expenses.
This includes N350 million for purchasing utility vehicles, N110 million for fueling, and N45 million for maintenance.
Travel expenses account for a significant portion of the proposed budget, with N1.5 billion set aside.
This includes N700 million for local travel, primarily for training and administrative activities, and N800 million for international trips.
These allocations are specific to the ministry’s headquarters and do not include expenditures from its six affiliated agencies: the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Council, Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, National Human Rights Commission, Regional Centre for International Arbitration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Nigerian Copyright Commission.
The proposed budget has sparked discussions over spending priorities, given the country’s economic difficulties.
Critics have questioned the necessity of such allocations, while ministry representatives argue that the funds are essential for maintaining operational efficiency and enhancing capacity within the justice sector.
Lawmakers are currently reviewing the bill and are expected to scrutinize the proposed expenditures before making final decisions.