By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Senate has warned that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that fail to appear before legislative committees to defend their 2026 budget proposals will have their allocations withdrawn and redirected to priority projects capable of delivering measurable results.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, stated this on Monday, February 9, during the public hearing on the 2026 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
He said: “Let me emphasise that all MDAs must appear before their respective Committees to defend their budget proposals.
“Where MDAs fail to justify their estimates, the Committee on Appropriations will recommend reallocation of such funds to other priority projects and programmes that can deliver measurable impact.”
The lawmaker stressed that budget defence is a mandatory requirement and will no longer be treated as a routine formality.
Adeola added that the Senate is committed to ensuring that public funds are efficiently deployed and aligned with national priorities.
He recalled the implementation setbacks suffered by the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, with releases falling short of projections due to transition pressures and competing demands.
The lawmaker noted that the challenges from the implementation of the 2025 budget provided important lessons for the 2026 fiscal year, adding that the committee will meticulously review the 2026 budget to align with the current administration’s agenda.
He said, “To this end, the Committee on Appropriations, in collaboration with relevant sub-committees, will undertake a meticulous review of the 2026 budget proposals.
“This scrutiny will prioritise transparency, accountability, and the achievement of measurable value for every expenditure, ensuring that the budget reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Tinubu.”
According to the Senator, the Red Chamber is determined to prevent a repeat of past shortcomings, highlighting the importance of stronger coordination, improved cash management, and strict adherence to appropriation timelines.
