Reps Seek Suspension of 22 MDAs’ Budget Over Failure to Account for Funds

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives has recommended the exclusion of 22 federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2026 budget appropriation over alleged persistent failure to account for public funds and non-compliance with legislative oversight.

The recommendation was made by the committee chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), during a public hearing on Thursday at the National Assembly complex. The hearing examined audit queries raised in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s annual reports for 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Salam stated that the affected MDAs repeatedly ignored invitations and directives to appear before the committee, failed to submit required financial records, and declined to address serious audit observations.

These include breaches of Financial Regulations, violations of due process, weak internal controls, and unauthorised expenditures.

He emphasised that many of the agencies have not submitted audited financial statements for periods ranging from three to five years or more, in clear violation of statutory requirements.

“The National Assembly cannot continue to appropriate public funds to institutions that disregard accountability mechanisms,” Salam said. “Accountability is not optional; it is a constitutional obligation. Public funds are held in trust, and those who manage them must be ready to render proper accounts.”

Among the prominent MDAs recommended for zero allocation in the 2026 budget are: Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet);  Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);  Federal Housing Authority (FHA); National Insurance Commission (NAICOM); National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB)

Others include the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal University of Gashua, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Federal Polytechnic Offa, several Federal Medical Centres (Owerri, Makurdi, Bida, Birnin Kebbi, Katsina), various Federal Government Colleges, Federal College of Land Resources Technology Owerri, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, and the FCT Secondary Education Board.

The committee’s resolution aims to promote fiscal discipline, enhance transparency, and ensure that only accountable institutions receive public funding. The recommendation will be forwarded to the House leadership and relevant appropriation committees for consideration during the 2026 budget process.

This development highlights ongoing concerns over financial management and oversight in federal agencies, as the National Assembly seeks stronger mechanisms to enforce accountability.