CEPDeR’s National Budget Roundtable & Panel Discussion (NBR2025):
Theme: National Budgeting as a Critical Tool for Reducing Poverty and Inequalities Amidst Energy Transition
1. Introduction
The National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion (NBR), organized annually by Covenant University’s Centre for Economic Policy Development and Research (CEPDeR), provides a forum for diverse stakeholders to discuss the role of national budgeting in socio-economic development. This year’s NBR, themed “National Budgeting as a Critical Tool for Reducing Poverty and Inequalities Amidst Energy Transition,” will focus on the national budget as a key instrument in alleviating poverty and addressing inequality within the context of Nigeria’s energy transition.
As Nigeria grapples with the economic implications of the global energy transition, the nation’s budget becomes pivotal in managing these changes while promoting inclusive growth. Energy transition presents significant challenges, particularly for developing countries like Nigeria, which are heavily dependent on crude oil exports. The 2025 national budget must strategically address the short-term social costs of energy transition and long-term sustainable growth through fiscal planning that prioritizes the most vulnerable communities.
2. Event Overview
The National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion (NBR), organized annually by Covenant University’s Centre for Economic Policy Development and Research (CEPDeR), provides a forum for diverse stakeholders to discuss the role of national budgeting in socio-economic development. This year’s NBR, themed “National Budgeting as a Critical Tool for Reducing Poverty and Inequalities Amidst Energy Transition,” will focus on the national budget as a key instrument in alleviating poverty and addressing inequality within the context of Nigeria’s energy transition.
As Nigeria grapples with the economic implications of the global energy transition, the nation’s budget becomes pivotal in managing these changes while promoting inclusive growth. Energy transition presents significant challenges, particularly for developing countries like Nigeria, which are heavily dependent on crude oil exports. The 2025 national budget must strategically address the short-term social costs of energy transition and long-term sustainable growth through fiscal planning that prioritizes the most vulnerable communities.
3. Event Details
- Event: National Budget Review (NBR)
- Theme: National Budgeting as a Critical Tool for Reducing Poverty and Inequalities Amidst Energy Transition
- Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
- Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (GMT+1)
- Venue: Covenant University’s CUCRID Auditorium, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State
- Organized by: Centre for Economic Policy Development and Research (CEPDeR) in collaboration with the University of Warwick.
- Expected Participants: Government officials, academia, business leaders, civil society representatives, international development partners, and media.
4. Event Objectives
The primary goals of the event are to:
- Highlight the Importance of the Nation’s Budget in Advancing Inclusive Development: Demonstrate how Nigeria’s national budget could prioritize healthcare, education, and infrastructure to reduce inequalities and improve overall well-being.
- Promote Good Governance and Transparency: Discuss the need for transparency and accountability in budgeting, ensuring that funds allocated for social development are effectively used to reduce poverty.
- Examine the Intersection of Energy Transition and Poverty Reduction: explore the revenue implications of the energy transition on the nation’s budget. Also address how the 2025 budget can support Nigeria’s shift to green energy, reduce energy poverty, and promote sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable groups.
- Facilitate Discussions on Future Budget Priorities: Engage stakeholders in defining priorities that ensure long-term sustainability while mitigating inequalities, especially in light of declining oil revenues.
5. Rationale for the Theme
Nigeria’s 2025 national budget must navigate the complex socio-economic challenges presented by the global energy transition and falling crude oil revenues. As a major oil-exporting nation, Nigeria faces the dual pressures of economic slowdowns tied to oil price volatility and the transition towards renewable energy sources. This shift, though necessary for environmental sustainability, presents risks, particularly for vulnerable communities dependent on oil revenues for livelihoods.
The national budget is a critical tool for managing these transitions, providing an opportunity to invest in green energy initiatives, enhance access to clean energy for underserved regions, and foster the growth of green industries that create jobs and economic opportunities. By aligning fiscal policies with energy transition goals, Nigeria can balance the need for economic diversification with sustainable poverty reduction efforts.
6. Key Discussion Areas
The roundtable will focus on the following topics:
- Poverty Reduction through National Budgeting: Discuss how the 2025 budget can allocate resources to sectors such as education, health, social services, and infrastructure to reduce poverty and address inequalities.
- Energy Transition and its Impact on Poverty and Inequality: Explore how the national budget can facilitate the energy transition by funding renewable energy projects, creating green jobs, and ensuring equitable access to energy.
- Public-Private Partnerships in Budgeting: Analyze how aligning public sector priorities with private sector investments in the budget can mobilize domestic resources, stimulate innovation, and fund key development initiatives.
- Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: Examine how national budgeting can prioritize the needs of marginalized groups, ensuring social inclusion through investments in education, healthcare, and social protection systems.
7. Expected Outcomes
The event is expected to:
- Increase awareness of the connection between national budgeting, poverty reduction, and sustainable development, particularly in the context of energy transition.
- Generate actionable recommendations and a Policy Brief on how the 2025 budget can be optimized to reduce systemic inequalities while supporting sustainable energy practices.
- Facilitate collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations to align budget priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Promote good governance and efficient resource management in the budgeting process to benefit all segments of society.
8. Participants
The event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders:
- Government Officials: Key leaders from ministries such as Finance, Humanitarian Affairs, Energy, and Environment, who are responsible for shaping the national budget and related policies.
- Academia and Researchers: Scholars specializing in economics, energy policy, development studies, and governance, who can contribute research insights on fiscal policies for sustainable growth.
- Private Sector: Business leaders from industries such as manufacturing, technology, finance, and infrastructure, who can play a role in driving green innovations and resource mobilization.
- International Organizations: Representatives from development agencies, including the UN, World Bank, and other international partners, whose support is crucial in financing green initiatives.
- Civil Society Organizations: Advocacy groups, community organizations, and NGOs focused on social justice, gender equality, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability.
- Media: Journalists and media houses engaged in economic development, energy policy, and social justice issues.
9. Previous Speakers at CEPDeR’s NBR and Policy Briefs
Past discussions at CEPDeR’s NBR have brought together notable thought leaders, including government officials, international experts, and civil society champions, to explore the intersection of budgeting, governance, and sustainable development. These discussions have resulted in impactful policy briefs that inform national debates on fiscal policy and development priorities.
10. Conclusion
The 2025 National Budget Roundtable seeks to redefine the role of national budgeting in the context of Nigeria’s energy transition. As the country faces diminishing returns from oil exports, national budgets must pivot towards fostering inclusive growth and reducing inequalities. Through well-structured fiscal policies, the national budget can be a transformative tool in addressing the social costs of energy transition while investing in sustainable, green futures for all Nigerians.
This roundtable will provide a roadmap for the country’s journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous future, with lessons that can be applied to other developing nations facing similar energy transition challenges.
11. Contact Information
For more details, partnership, or exhibition inquiries, please contact:
- Email: cepder@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
- Phone: 08167337301, 08062587148, 07026430766
- Website: https://cepder.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/