The Nigerian Senate has halted the 2025 budget review for the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAGF) due to inconsistencies and inadequate preparation in the budget documents presented by Auditor General S.K. Chira.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, led by Senator Ahmed Wadada, made the announcement, warning that this delay could result in no allocation for the OAGF. The committee has set a firm deadline of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, for all budget submissions to enable the Committee on Appropriation to finalize its harmonized report.
During the session, frustration mounted as it became evident that the budget document Chira was referencing differed from those distributed to committee members. This discrepancy, coupled with Chira’s inability to address basic questions about the office’s 2024 budget performance, led to his dismissal from the proceedings.
Expressing disappointment, a committee member remarked, “The Auditor General came unprepared and failed to provide clear answers about last year’s budget performance.”
Senator Wadada urged the Auditor General to address the issues promptly, stating, “It’s up to the Auditor General to return fully prepared. He can still present his case, even within the next two hours, as the Wednesday deadline stands firm.”
The Senate’s firm stance underscores the importance of accountability and preparedness in managing public funds.
