The National Assembly says it remains committed to improving funding for the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Eze, made the pledge at the ministry’s budget defence session in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris and Heads of Agencies under the ministry appeared for the budget defence.
Senator Eze said the committee was totally committed to effective and efficient performance of the ministry and its agencies, describing the roles of the ministry and its agencies as “indispensable”.
“On this note, I wish to reiterate that this Joint Committee of Information and National Orientation is totally committed to the effective and efficient performance of the statutory functions of the various MDAs who are here today.
“Your indispensable roles are sacrosanct to the socio-economic and political development of this country.
“As such, we shall strive to ensure that the ministry and all the agencies under its supervision, are well-funded and all funds appropriated for each of the MDAs, are released and utilised.”
He said the committee would ensure utmost accountability, probity and transparency of funds appropriated for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Senator Eze said the committee was not oblivious to the fact that the country experienced some challenges in the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act.
This, he said necessitated the retention of 30 per cent capital component for the 2025 appropriation act and 70 per cent roll over to the 2026 proposal.
He, however, said some bold steps aimed at bridging the gaps and blocking leakages of revenue inflow, had been taken.
This, he said was done through deliberate reforms that would reposition the nation’s budget system to meet the funding of the 2026 appropriation act.
The joint committee, thereafter resolve into a closed session to consider the budget proposal of the ministry and its agencies.
Speaking with newsmen after the budget session, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values.
Mr. Olusola Fatoba said the committee at the close session unanimously agreed that the funding earmarked for the ministry and its agencies in the 2026 budget would not be sufficient to execute their responsibilities.
“So we are still going to go further to meet the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that the projects of the ministry and its agencies are properly funded.
“You know we are going to an election year now, and the ministry and its agencies were established with the responsibilities of dissemination of information and sensitisation of Nigerians.
“So with this budget i don’t know how that could be achieved,” he said.
Mr. Fatoba said the committee via the leadership of the national assembly would intensify pressure on the executive for improved budgetary provisions for the ministry and its agencies.
“So we are still going to reach out to the President to ensure that something is done so that they can be able to carry out their responsibilities”.
Information Ministry
Speaking after the budget presentation, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, told the lawmakers that the ministry requires stronger financial backing to effectively carry out its mandate of informing and enlightening Nigerians on government policies and programmes.
He recalled that during the previous budget cycle, lawmakers made “a very serious attempt” to secure adequate funding for the ministry but noted that the effort did not yield the desired outcome.
“We did not achieve much of that. And when we entered the executive session today, they still made the same passionate appeal. The House Committee is going to take this up with the leadership of the National Assembly so that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation that is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that Nigerians are informed, they are enlightened, they are educated about programmes and policies of government. All our national priorities ought to be ventilated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation. Without proper funding, this would not be properly achieved”, Idris stated.
According to him, both the executive and the legislature are aligned on the need to properly fund the ministry and its agencies.
“We are on the same page, both the Executive and the National Assembly. And I do hope that this time around, the National Assembly will work to ensure that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and all its agencies have the proper funding that they require so that Nigerians will have the benefit of all the programmes and policies of this administration better,” he said.
The Minister stressed that without adequate resources, the ministry would struggle to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.
“All our national priorities ought to be ventilated by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Without proper funding, this would not be properly achieved. We are trying our best with what we have, but we need to do better.”
Idris placed particular emphasis on the National Orientation Agency, warning that its effectiveness depends largely on improved funding.
“No matter what you do, if National Orientation Agency is not properly funded, we’ll not go anywhere,” he said .
He also listed key government media institutions that require enhanced financial support, including the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and the News Agency of Nigeria.
“These are all service departments and agencies, and they need to be properly funded. I am confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring the ministry gets the resources it needs. I know that Mr. President is very desirous of ensuring that we get what we need so that our job can be made easier and so that Nigerians can be better informed”, he added
The Minister thanked the Committee and the leadership of the National Assembly for their support and expressed hope that the legislature will continue to work to ensure the Ministry is well funded.