More Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Tuesday appeared before committees of the House of Representatives to defend their 2026 budget proposals, as the lawmakers moved to exclude 22 federal institutions from budgetary allocations over alleged lack of accountability.
The decision by the House followed complaints by several committees that some agencies had failed to properly account for previous allocations or comply with legislative oversight requirements during the ongoing budget defence exercise.
Among the agencies affected by the proposed exclusion are the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
Others listed include the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Education Board, among others.
Lawmakers said the move was intended to enforce transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, stressing that agencies which failed to honour invitations or provide satisfactory explanations on their financial records risked losing budgetary support.
During the session, committees heard budget presentations from MDAs that complied with the process, with members raising questions on project implementation, revenue generation and expenditure patterns.
The House maintained that the exclusion of the 22 institutions from budgetary allocations would stand until the affected agencies addressed the issues raised and demonstrated full accountability in line with constitutional provisions.
The development underscores the resolve of the House of Representatives to strengthen oversight and ensure that public resources are prudently managed in the 2026 fiscal year.
