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FAAC: FG, States Share N299.7bn
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, yesterday in Abuja said that N299.7 billion was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue for March 2016.
Adeosun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, announced this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.
She said there was a N39.0 billion drop in revenue from the N338.8 billion that was shared in February.
She added that the shared amount comprised the month’s statutory revenue of N232.6 billion.
She noted that “there is exchange gain of N2.9 billion which is proposed for distribution.
“Therefore, the total revenue distributable for the month of March, including VAT of N64.2 billion is N299.7 billion.”
Adeosun also said that N6.3 billion that was refunded to the federation account by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was also shared.
Giving the breakdown of revenue among the three tiers of government, the finance minister said that the Federal Government received N109.1 billion,
representing 52.68 per cent, while states got N55.3 billion, representing 26.72 per cent.
The local governments, she said, received N42.7 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.
She said N19.75 billion, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.
Adeosun also said that during the month under review, the country generated N153.4 billion as mineral revenue and N79.3 billion as non-mineral revenue,
an increase of N23.0 billion and N14.83 billion respectively from what the country generated in the preceding month.
The minister also said that the Excess Crude Account maintained a balance of 2.25 billion dollars, indicating that nothing had been removed or added
since July 2015.
She pointed out that acts of vandalism on oil pipelines among other factors had continued to negatively impact on oil revenue generation.
According to her, there is a significant decline in incomes from Petroleum Profit Tax and Companies Income Tax.
She, however, reiterated government’s stand on diversification of the economy, stressing that it was on course and that all measures were being taken to achieve the goal.
Meanwhile, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, has given an update on government savings, saying that the Federal Government has realised slightly above N2.7trillion from the Treasury Single Account system.
He spoke during an interactive session with a team of journalists led by Director News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Alhaji Sani Sulieman.
He further stated that these monies belong to Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and meant for their operations, and not for sharing or for any other purposes as being reported in some quarters of the media.
Idris said that the TSA has helped government to have a firm and full control of its resources, blocking leakages, helping it to reduce the cost of borrowing and to monitor spending in the MDAs.
He called on all organizations which have any problems on the operations of the TSA to come forward with their problems, assuring that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is committed to resolving whatever challenges they might have in line with best practices.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene