Nigerian Senate Warns Federal Agency Heads Over Persistent Lateness to Budget Defence Sessions
The Nigerian Senate has issued a stern warning to heads of federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) regarding their persistent lateness to budget defence sessions. Lawmakers have declared that the upper chamber will no longer tolerate what they perceive as a growing culture of disregard for parliamentary oversight, stressing that respect and punctuality are vital for accountability in the 2026 budget process.
Security Chiefs Praised for Punctuality While Other Officials Criticized
During the 2026 budget defence of security agencies before the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, senators contrasted the punctuality of security chiefs with the habitual lateness of several other agency heads. The committee convened to interface with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and other intelligence chiefs. Lawmakers commended these security heads for arriving ahead of the scheduled 11:00 a.m. commencement time.
Senators used this occasion to send a strong message to other government agency leaders who frequently arrive late for similar engagements. Expressing his displeasure, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) stated that the trend must stop, emphasizing that the Senate would no longer condone laxity during such a critical budget period.
Criticism of Former Lawmakers Leading Agencies
Senator Kalu particularly criticized former serving senators and members of the National Assembly who now head executive agencies, accusing them of being among the worst offenders. He remarked, "We are happy that the various heads of National Security and Intelligence agencies arrived for the budget defence session before 11:00 am fixed for commencement of the interface. However, it is not so with many of the other heads of agencies, particularly those being led by former serving Senators or National Assembly members. This is absolutely rubbish because this is a budget period that must be given the required seriousness by all stakeholders."
He added that excuses about presidential engagements at the Villa were "lies" and warned that failure to accord the legislature due respect undermines accountability and transparency in the budget process.
Committee Chairman Emphasizes Critical Nature of Budget Sessions
Concurring with the cautionary remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), stated that the warning should serve as a wake-up call to erring agency heads. He stressed that budget defence sessions are not routine ceremonies but critical engagements where lawmakers examine revenue projections, expenditure frameworks, and performance records before approving public funds.
Senate Pushes for Enhanced Accountability and Institutional Discipline
The Senate has in recent years intensified oversight of MDAs, frequently raising concerns over delayed project execution, poor releases, and weak accountability mechanisms. Lawmakers argued that punctuality and preparedness at budget sessions reflect an agency's seriousness about fiscal discipline and public service delivery.
This development signals that, beyond funding concerns, the Senate is also keen on enforcing institutional discipline as it considers the 2026 Appropriation Bill. The committee later proceeded with deliberations on the security agencies' budget proposals, amid assurances from lawmakers that punctuality and compliance would henceforth be treated as matters of legislative priority.
