Senators Raise Alarm Over Lack of Funds, Warn of Threat to Budget Implementation

Some Nigerian senators have raised serious concerns over what they described as inadequate funding, warning that it is affecting the work of Senate standing committees and could disrupt smooth budget implementation.

The issue was raised on Friday, January 30, during a meeting between the Senate Committee on Appropriations, led by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), and chairmen of various standing committees.

Speaking at the meeting, Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) said his committee has been unable to function since it was inaugurated because it has not received any funds from the Senate. According to him, the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission cannot hold meetings or engage with agencies due to zero allocation since its formation. He added that other committees on zonal development commissions are facing similar challenges and questioned how they are expected to carry out oversight duties without resources.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission, Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), said the lack of funding is already changing public perception of the newly created commissions. He noted that the excitement that greeted their establishment is gradually turning into disappointment and frustration.

Shifting attention to budget implementation, the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (PDP, Osun West), warned that plans to begin a single budget implementation from April 1, 2026, are under threat. He explained that parts of the 2024 capital budget have not been fully paid, while the 30 percent capital component of the 2025 budget is expected to expire by March 31.

Olalere stressed that with only two months left, urgent action is needed to clear outstanding obligations from the 2024 and 2025 budgets to avoid the continuation of multiple budget cycles. He called on the Appropriations Committee and other key stakeholders to act swiftly.

Supporting this view, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (APC, Osun East) said unpaid contractors from the 2024 budget are still protesting, urging the committee to engage relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue before April 1, 2026.

As the complaints continued, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) advised his colleagues to wait until full details of the ₦58.472 trillion 2026 budget are made available.

Following his intervention, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Senator Adeola, called for an executive session and asked journalists to leave the meeting.