Nigeria’s 2025 budget, when analyzed on a per capita basis across both federal and state governments, amounts to just $0.63 per day—significantly lower than the World Bank’s $2.15 daily poverty threshold.
Analysts Data Services and Resources (ADSR) highlighted in its latest report that the federal and state budget per capita stood at $0.43 and $0.21, respectively, a decline from the previous year’s $0.56 and $0.36. This decline underscores the impact of foreign exchange pressures on budget allocations per individual.
“The daily budget per person at all levels—national, federal, and state—is far below the poverty line of $2.15,” ADSR analysts stated, emphasizing the inadequacy of government spending to meet essential needs such as food, healthcare, and education.
In naira terms, the per capita budget has shrunk to ₦348,481 annually, with the federal budget accounting for ₦235,706 per citizen—equivalent to just ₦645.8 per day. At the state level, per capita spending stands at ₦115,500 annually or ₦317 daily.
With a total approved budget of ₦81.3 trillion—including ₦54.99 trillion for the federal government and ₦26.30 trillion for states—Nigeria’s budget increased by 51.9% compared to 2024. However, despite the larger budget size, concerns persist over its ability to drive meaningful economic growth amid rising debt servicing costs and inflation.
While President Bola Tinubu’s administration increased the budget from ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion, partly to boost capital expenditure and compensate for reduced U.S. aid, analysts warn that an additional ₦700 billion may not be sufficient to effect tangible improvements given the country’s mounting fiscal challenges.
