The Nigerian Senate has suspended the 2025 budget defence for the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAGF), raising the possibility that the office could receive no allocation.
This move comes after the Senate had set January 22, 2025, as the deadline for budget presentations. The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, led by Senator Ahmed Wadada, expressed frustration with Auditor-General S.K. Chira and his team, who appeared before the committee unprepared.
Chira was unable to provide satisfactory answers regarding the performance of his office’s 2024 budget.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the budget documents presented by the Auditor-General differed from those provided to the committee, causing further outrage among senators, who deemed Chira’s lack of preparation unacceptable.
Despite the setback, Senator Wadada indicated that the office could still have a chance to present its budget if it comes fully prepared.
He stated, “It is now up to the Auditor General to prepare properly and return for appraisal, even within the next two hours, as he has been informed that Wednesday is the deadline.”
Wadada emphasized the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s authority to audit the Auditor-General’s office, reinforcing the importance of transparency and preparedness in budget matters.
