Feb 12 • 15:40 UTC 🇳🇬 Nigeria Punch

Reps step down agency’s 2026 budget review

The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Science and Engineering halted review of the National Centre for Technology Management’s 2026 budget due to the agency's leadership failing to appear before them.

The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Engineering in Nigeria has decided to step down the consideration of the National Centre for Technology Management's 2026 budget proposal. This action has heightened tensions between lawmakers and the agency's leadership, primarily due to the failure of its Director-General, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, to attend the budget defence session and present the necessary documents for review. The committee's chairman, Mr. Inuwa Garba, expressed his frustration, asserting that presidential appointees should view legislative invitations as mandatory during critical periods like budget defence.

During the budget defence meeting held in Abuja, the committee not only delayed the budget's assessment but also resolved to remove Odusanya from his position, attributing this decision to his absence and lack of communication. The lawmakers feel that such disregard for the legislature's authority is unacceptable, further complicating the relationship between the executive branch and the legislative body. The president's personal involvement in approving the budget allocations has intensified scrutiny and expectations from agencies.

As this situation unfolds, it raises questions about accountability within Nigerian agencies and the broader implications of agency responsiveness to legislative oversight. The committee's actions suggest a willingness to enforce stricter measures on agencies that do not comply with legislative procedures, signifying a potential turning point in how budget allocations are discussed and approved in Nigeria.

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