Budget delays threaten service delivery across MDAs, lawmakers warn.
The Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday criticized Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) Shamsedeen Ogunjimi for failing to release 2025 budget allocations to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) during budget defence sessions at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Committee Chairman Sen. Sani Musa said the non-release of funds is crippling operations across MDAs and described the situation as “alarming and harmful.” The committee postponed consideration of the AGF’s budget proposal, planning a closed-door session to probe delays.
Ogunjimi defended his office, citing inherited financial challenges, poor tax remittances, contract awards without secured funding, and low national revenue as reasons for delays. He stressed that funds are only disbursed when properly authorised and available, urging stronger tax compliance and fiscal reforms.
The standoff highlights tensions over Nigeria’s centralised payment system and the ongoing struggle to balance fiscal responsibility with timely government service delivery.
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