<p><!-- BEGIN THEIA POST SLIDER --></p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.98.1 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p> ;</p><div class="ixRKESWl" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa</p><div class="yFL6PuAe" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, faced intense questioning on Thursday as the Senate Committee on Finance scrutinised the 2025 budget implementation, citing zero capital allocations to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), mounting unpaid contracts and concerns over the Centralised Payment System.</p>
<p>The heated exchange occurred during the AGF’s budget defence session, where lawmakers voiced frustration over what they described as poor fund releases and low implementation levels despite increased government revenues.</p>
<p>Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), opened the session with sharp criticism, accusing the Office of the Accountant-General of maintaining what he termed an “unfriendly” posture toward the committee.</p><div class="LKLoKwia" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block; text-align:center;"

 data-ad-layout="in-article"

 data-ad-format="fluid"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="6550225277"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>“We are not going to take your budget until we are satisfied that your office is ready to do things that will make things work for Nigerians,” Musa said.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.98.1 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad3" id="quads-ad3" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>He also questioned the continued use of the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it had failed to deliver desired outcomes and should be replaced with a more performance-based framework.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.98.1 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad1" id="quads-ad1" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) described the current situation as “embarrassing,” noting a surge in complaints from contractors over unpaid jobs since 2024.</p>
<p>“We have never seen contractors bombarding us weekly for intervention on non-payment of executed contracts,” Goje said.</p>
<p>He queried the impact of recent fiscal reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, which were expected to boost government revenues.</p>
<p>“The impression given to Nigerians is that more money is available. Where is the money now? Why are contractors owed? And why was there zero allocation for capital votes of most MDAs in 2025?” he asked.</p>
<p>Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South) raised concerns over reports that revenue-generating agencies recorded N28 trillion, yet many contractors remain unpaid and several MDAs have no capital allocation.</p>
<p>“What happened to the N28 trillion?” he asked, adding that the Centralised Payment System had not improved the situation and was allegedly affecting government operations.</p>
<p>Other lawmakers, including Senators Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Aminu Abbas (Adamawa Central) and Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), urged the AGF to advise President Bola Tinubu on the need to prevent possible internal sabotage within the system.</p>
<p>Responding, Ogunjimi attributed the funding challenges to indiscriminate contract awards by some MDAs without confirmed budgetary backing. He said a directive had been issued prohibiting agencies from awarding contracts without available funds.</p>
<p>“As Accountant-General, my office can only disburse funds that are available. I must have the funds before I can release them,” he said.</p>
<p>He also noted that the previous reliance on “Ways and Means” financing had been discontinued in the interest of economic stability.</p>
<p>While acknowledging operational challenges with the Centralised Payment System, the AGF assured lawmakers that steps were being taken to address the issues and improve efficiency.</p>
<p>The committee later moved into a closed-door session with the AGF for further deliberations.</p>
<p><!-- END THEIA POST SLIDER -->
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.98.1 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad5" id="quads-ad5" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>
</p>
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-format="autorelaxed"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="1004305389"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.98.1 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>


