The Senate has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies that failure to appear before legislative committees to defend their 2026 budget proposals could result in the loss of their allocations.
The warning was issued on Monday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, during the ongoing public hearing on the 2026 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Senator Adeola said budget defence is no longer a mere procedural exercise, stressing that MDAs must justify their estimates or risk having their funds redirected to projects capable of delivering tangible results.
“All MDAs are required to appear before their respective committees to defend their budget proposals. Any agency that fails to properly justify its estimates risks having its allocation recommended for reallocation to priority projects with measurable impact,” he said.
The lawmaker, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District, noted that the Senate is determined to ensure that public funds are judiciously spent in line with national development priorities.
He recalled that the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget faced significant challenges, largely due to funding shortfalls, transition-related pressures, and competing fiscal demands.
According to him, lessons from the 2025 fiscal year are guiding a more rigorous scrutiny of the 2026 budget.
“The Committee on Appropriations, working with relevant sub-committees, will conduct a thorough review of the 2026 budget proposals. Our focus will be on transparency, accountability, and ensuring value for money in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” Adeola stated.
He added that the Senate is strengthening oversight mechanisms to prevent a repeat of past shortcomings, improve cash management, discourage multiple budgets within a fiscal year, and ensure strict adherence to appropriation timelines.
Adeola also commended the leadership of the National Assembly for providing strategic direction during the budget process, noting that enhanced collaboration with the Executive would be key to improving budget implementation.
The Senate’s warning comes amid growing public concern over delays in capital releases and poor budget performance, as lawmakers signal their resolve to ensure that the 2026 budget delivers concrete outcomes across critical sectors of the economy.
