Reps Approve N774.77bn NIMASA Budget, Raise Concerns Over Revenue and Expenditure Projections
House panel approves NIMASA’s ₦774.77 billion 2025 budget amid scrutiny of revenue targets.
Lawmakers question rising costs, revenue shortfalls, and call for release of maritime academy funds.
The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration has approved the ₦774.77 billion 2025 budget proposal for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) following a budget defense session held in Abuja.
The approval came after a detailed presentation of NIMASA revenue and expenditure projections by the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who was represented at the session by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Chidi Offodile.
According to the breakdown, NIMASA is targeting a revenue haul of ₦774.66 billion in 2025. However, after mandatory federal remittances and contributions to maritime sector funds, the agency expects to have ₦264.96 billion available for its operational activities.
Major revenue streams identified for 2025 include freight levies, offshore waste management fees, ship registration charges, and environmental protection dues. NIMASA also expects to generate additional income through ongoing automation efforts and the deployment of a modular floating dock, which will enhance service efficiency and monitoring capabilities.
However, lawmakers expressed skepticism over the ambitious revenue projection. The agency had projected ₦467.4 billion for 2024 but ultimately collected ₦370 billion, representing a 79% performance rate. Recurrent expenditure was implemented at 87%, while capital spending reached only 51% execution.
Committee Chairperson, Rep. Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, drew attention to a new fiscal directive under the current administration mandating that 50% of all Internally generated revenue (IGR) from government agencies be remitted to the federal treasury, a sharp deviation from the previous policy that allowed agencies like NIMASA to retain 100% of their earnings.
She also questioned the feasibility of doubling revenue projections in 2025 despite the ₦97 billion shortfall recorded in 2024. Concerns were also raised over the agency’s rising personnel costs, which have ballooned from ₦42 billion in 2024 to ₦73 billion in the 2025 proposal. Lawmakers demanded clarification on whether this surge is due to new recruitment drives or inflated salary benefits.
Additionally, NIMASA plan to execute ₦89 billion in capital projects came under scrutiny, given that half of the agency’s revenue would now be deducted at source.
In response, Mr. Offodile acknowledged that budget figures remain projections subject to evolving economic conditions. He attributed the optimism in the 2025 budget to expectations of increased oil production, improved automation, and strategic collaborations that would boost revenue.
“We are confident that with better systems and strategic partnerships, we can meet these targets,” Offodile told the committee.
During deliberations, the committee also urged NIMASA to promptly release the ₦200 billion previously approved for the execution of strategic projects at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, located in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
The House committee emphasized that these investments are crucial to capacity building and safety compliance in the nation’s maritime sector.
The adopted budget is now expected to proceed to the plenary of the House of Representatives for final consideration and approval.
