The Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation on Tuesday described the N8.9 billion 2025 budget allocation to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation as inadequate.
Consequently, the committee summoned the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, to appear before it for consultations on increasing the ministry’s budget allocation.
The Chairman of the Committee, Kenneth Eze (APC, Ebonyi Central), made this known shortly after the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appeared to defend the Ministry’s 2025 budget proposal.
Eze said the decision to reject the budget was unanimous, with all members of the committee agreeing on the need for a larger budget.
He stated, “Last year, the minister appeared before the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, and we observed the very limited and minimal appropriation for the entire ministry, considering the vital role the information sector plays in this country. We want to drive President’s transformative agenda.
“We deemed it necessary last year to recommend to the Appropriation Committee that the information sector should be better funded, but we did not see the expected result.
“The Ministry has appeared before the Committee again with the same, or even lower, appropriation for the information sector and its agencies.
As the National Assembly and Senate, in particular, and as responsive lawmakers, we feel it is improper and unacceptable for us to legislate on this proposal. Therefore, the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation unanimously resolved that this budget should be returned”.
In his remarks, the minister, accompanied by the director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ibidapo Okunnu, and heads of agencies under the ministry, stated that the mandate of the ministry is to defend the image of the country, as well as to disseminate information and promote national values.
“2024 was pivotal for the ministry as we launched a series of innovative and impactful programmes to enhance public communication, deepen citizen engagement, and promote national values”, he said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged his colleagues to rededicate themselves to the collective task of making Nigeria a better country.
He made the appeal in a welcome address titled “Rising to the Greatness of Our Calling”, read at the resumed plenary following the Christmas and New Year break.
He said, “As we embark on this new legislative year, I urge us all to include in our New Year resolutions a renewed commitment to the service of our great nation, Nigeria.
“Let us resolve to rededicate ourselves to the task of fixing Nigeria, transforming it into the country of our dreams, the pride of Africa, and a beacon of hope for the world.
“As we return to our legislative duties, we are immediately faced with a matter of utmost importance: the consideration of the national budget.
“I do not doubt that, as always, we will approach this with our usual patriotic fervour and meticulous diligence. This is not just a financial document; it is the blueprint of the aspirations and hopes of millions of Nigerians.
“We must ensure that every item within it reflects the collective dreams of our people and serves as a catalyst for development, equity, and justice”.
He also drew the attention of his colleagues to key national priorities, saying, “Another critical task before us is the completion of electoral reforms. As the nation begins preparations for the next electoral cycle, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our democracy.
“Electoral reform is not just a legislative duty; it is a moral imperative. It is our chance to gift the Nigerian people a system that is transparent, credible, and reflective of their will.
“Let us not waver in this responsibility, for the foundation of every thriving democracy is trust in its electoral processes”.
