Drama in Senate as Senators Lament Funding Shortfalls, Stalled Committee Activities
There was tension in the Senate on Friday as several senators raised concerns over what they described as severe funding shortages, warning that the situation is crippling the work of standing committees and undermining effective budget implementation.
The concerns were voiced during a meeting between the Senate Committee on Appropriations, led by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), and chairmen of various standing committees.
Leading the complaints, Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) said the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission had not received any funds since its inauguration, making it impossible to carry out its oversight and statutory duties.
“Mr Chairman, you have outlined the timetable for committees to consider the 2026 budget, but the committee on the South East Development Commission has not received a single kobo since its formation. We cannot even organise meetings with relevant agencies,” Ani said.
He added that, based on available information, other Senate committees overseeing zonal development commissions were facing similar challenges, questioning how such committees were expected to function effectively without funding.
Echoing the concern, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission, Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), warned that the enthusiasm that greeted the creation of the zonal commissions was fast giving way to frustration.
“The lack of funding is gradually turning the excitement that followed the establishment of these commissions into disappointment and even lamentation,” Zam said.
The discussion also broadened to include concerns over delayed and overlapping budget implementation. Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (PDP, Osun West), cautioned that the planned transition to a single-budget cycle was under threat due to outstanding payments on previous budgets.
He noted that parts of the capital component of the 2024 budget were yet to be funded, while the 30 per cent capital allocation for the 2025 budget, expected to expire by March 31, had also not been fully released.
“Today is January 30. That leaves barely two months to clear the outstanding portions of the 2024 and 2025 budgets if we are serious about commencing single-budget implementation from April 1, 2026. A lot needs to be done urgently to avoid continued multiple budget cycles,” Olalere warned.
Similarly, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (APC, Osun East) lamented that debts from the 2024 budget remained unpaid, with contractors still protesting over outstanding obligations.
“The unpaid contractors are still on the streets carrying placards. This committee must engage critical stakeholders to ensure the 2024 and 2025 budgets are tidied up before April 1, 2026,” Fadaunsi said.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) urged his colleagues to exercise restraint, advising them to await the full details of the proposed ₦58.472 trillion 2026 budget before drawing conclusions.
Following Oshiomhole’s intervention and the series of complaints, Senator Adeola called for an executive session and asked journalists to excuse themselves, bringing the open deliberations to an abrupt end.
