Reps to Stop 2026 Budgets for 22 MDAs Over Lapses

By Oluwakemi Kindness 

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has moved to stop 2026 budgetary allocations to 22 federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for repeatedly failing to account for public funds and ignoring legislative oversight.

The affected agencies include the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

PAC made the recommendation on Thursday during a public hearing chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, after several invitations and directives to the MDAs to respond to audit queries in the Auditor-General’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 reports.

Full List of Affected Agencies

The other institutions listed for budget suspension are:

• Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

• Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development

• Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

• Federal University of Gashua

• Federal Polytechnic, Ede

• Federal Polytechnic, Offa

• Federal Medical Centre, Owerri

• Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi

• Federal Medical Centre, Bida

• Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi

• Federal Medical Centre, Katsina

• Federal Government College, Kwali

• Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, Abuja

• Federal Government College, Rubochi

• Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri

• Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria

• FCT Secondary Education Board

According to the Committee, the MDAs ignored multiple requests to submit financial records and failed to appear to clarify audit concerns involving breaches of Financial Regulations, procurement violations and weak internal control systems.

PAC also noted that several agencies have not presented audited financial statements for between three and five years, contrary to statutory requirements.

PAC: No Funds for Agencies That Fail Transparency Tests

PAC Chairman Rep. Bamidele Salam said the legislature cannot continue allocating funds to institutions that refuse to be accountable.

“Public funds are held in trust for the Nigerian people. Any agency that fails to account for previous allocations, refuses to submit audited accounts or ignores legislative summons cannot, in good conscience, expect fresh budgetary provisions. Accountability is not optional; it is a constitutional obligation,” he stated.

He added that the recommendation aims to restore fiscal discipline across government agencies and is consistent with the Financial Regulations 2009 and the National Assembly’s oversight mandate.