President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken significant steps to tackle the issue of excessive government spending by introducing reforms aimed at cutting the cost of governance in Nigeria. As part of these efforts, the President has made the decision to cease the government’s financial support to certain professional agencies and councils operating under specific ministries.
In a recent memo dated June 26, 2023, the Budget Office of the Federation informed the affected councils about the federal government’s resolution to discontinue budgetary allocations to professional bodies and councils. The directive, as explained by the Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, is in line with the recommendations put forth by the Presidential Committee On Salaries (PCS).
The Director General, in the memo, declared: “I wish to inform you that, the Presidential Committee on Salaries, (PCS) at its 13th meeting approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective 31st December, 2026.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above stated date and, you will be regarded as a self-funded organization.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective 31st December, 2026 to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures.”
The memo identified the affected councils and the terms of withdrawal of budgetary funding as follows:
A. Those whose funding would be stopped by December 2024.
*Nigerian Press Council
*Advertising Regulatory Council Of Nigeria (ARCON)
*Veterinary Council Of Nigeria
*Nigerian Institute Of Soil Science (NISS) Hqtrs
*Agricultural Research Council Of Nigeria
*Financial Reporting Council Of Nigeria
*Council For The Regulation Of Freight Forwarding In Nigeria
*Council Of Nigerian Mining Engineers And Geosciences
*Survey Council Of Nigeria
*Council For The Regulation Of Engineering In Nigeria (COREN)
*Legal Aid Council – To Remain On Full Treasury Funding
*Teachers Registration Council Of Nigeria
*Computer Registration Council Of Nigeria
*Librarians Registration Council Of Nigeria
*Radiographers Registration Board
*Health Records Registration Board
*Optometrist And Dispensing Opticians Boar
*Institute Of Public Analysts Of Nigeria
*Institute Of Forensics Science Laboratory Oshodi
*Institute Of Chartered Chemist Of Nigeria
*Nursing And Midwifery Council
*Pharmacist Council Of Nigeria Council
*Medical And Dental Council Of Nigeria
*Medical Lab. Science Council Of Nigeria, Yaba
*Community Health Practitioners Registration Board
*Medical Rehabilitation Therapy Board
*Dental Technologist Registration Board
*Environmental Health Registration Council Of Nigeria
*Mass Literacy Council – “Discontinue Budget Funding. To Revert To A Department In The Federal Ministry Of Education Repeal Establishment Act.
*National Council On Climate Change – Discontinue Budget Funding. Relocate To Federal Ministry Of Environment. To Exit Budget Funding After 31st December, 2024
B. Those whose funding would be stopped by December 2026
*National Council Of Arts And Culture – Discontinue Budget Funding W.E.F 2025. Federal Ministry Of Information And Culture To Rationalize The Multiplicity Of Agencies Under The Ministry
*Nigerian Council Of Food Science And Technology – “Discontinue Budget Funding After 31st December, 2026.”
*Environmental Health Officer’s Tutors-Ibadan – “It Is A School, To Remain On Treasury Funding.
*Council Of Legal Education – To Remain On Full Treasury Funding.
President Tinubu’s move to halt funding to these professional agencies and councils is a crucial step towards achieving a more streamlined and cost-effective governance system in Nigeria. By aligning with the PCS resolution, the government aims to optimize the allocation of resources and ensure that public funds are utilized judiciously.
The decision will have significant implications for the affected professional bodies and councils, as they will now need to seek alternative sources of funding to sustain their operations. This shift is expected to lead to a reassessment of priorities, prompting a more rigorous evaluation of the necessity and effectiveness of these entities.
While this move may face some resistance and challenges from the affected agencies and councils, President Tinubu remains steadfast in his commitment to implementing reforms that will enhance financial accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s governance structure. These changes are crucial for promoting sustainable development an
