House of Representatives Threatens to Exclude NECO, UI, 21 MDAs from 2025 Budget

The House of Representatives has threatened to exclude the National Examinations Council (NECO), the University of Ibadan, and 21 other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 federal budget due to their repeated failure to account for previous budgetary allocations and internally-generated revenue.

This decision was reached during a special session of the House Public Accounts Committee in Abuja. According to the committee chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the recommendation followed months of non-compliance by the affected MDAs, which repeatedly ignored summons to appear before the committee and failed to submit requested financial documentation.

Agencies facing potential exclusion include the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Medical Centre Bida, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, the Nigeria Police Force, and various educational institutions such as the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Federal College of Education Yola, and Federal Polytechnic Ekowe.

Rep. Salam cited financial regulations empowering the National Assembly to remove MDAs from budgetary considerations if they fail to account for prior appropriations. He emphasized that the affected MDAs would remain excluded from the 2025 budget until they comply with the committee’s demands.

The committee unanimously endorsed the recommendation, stressing the importance of accountability and financial transparency in the management of public funds.