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NASS Suggests New Budget Frameworks …As Senate Calls For State Of Emergency On Jobs
The National Assembly has identified 15 key reform strategies, including the adoption of a budget calendar which will begin with the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the second week in July and end with the President signing the Appropriation Bill into law by the third week of December every year.
According to a statement from the Media Office of the Senate President, the strategies which also include provision of laws on development plans by the Federal Government are aimed at easy and timely preparation of the budget and its efficient implementation.
The measures contained in a report submitted to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, by the Senator Ali Ndume-led technical committee on reforming the budget process in Nigeria, proposed a budget calendar that will ensure that the President assents to the appropriations law by the third week of December while the MTEF is submitted in the second week of July as the first step in the budget process.
The report to be discussed at plenary by the Senate, also include amendments of the relevant sections of the Constitution and extant laws as well as enactment of new laws to improve the country’s budgetary process and align it with international best practices.
Other key recommendations in the report include the proposed provision of a legal backing for national development plans, and enactment of organic budget law to fix a realistic budget calendar.
According to the report, the broad strategies aimed at improving the budget process “revolve around reforming laws and frameworks for budget formulation, enactment, and implementation, aligning the budget process to international best practices, strengthening capacities, and institutions for budget formulation and implementation, and strengthening the revenue base for budget implementation.”
Some of the key reform strategies for budget preparation include, the alteration of Section 81(1) of the 1999 Constitution and amendment of Sections 11 and 14 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) to provide for a fixed and realistic budget calendar by which the President will present the budget to the National Assembly by the first week of September, considered and passed by 30th November and assented to by the President by the second week of December.
Others include the provision of legal backing for development plans to serve as basis for the annual budget and ensure continuity of development plans. In this regard, complete the legislative actions initiated for the enactment of laws: “Development Planning Act” and “Project Implementation and Continuity Act”, pending in NASS.
It also plans to amend Sections 13-18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to link MTEF with a development plan to trigger a long term (10-15 years) development plan to be implemented with three-year MTEF and Medium-term Sector Strategy (MTSS), and ensure the National Assembly buy-in with a resolution to ensure that the annual budget is linked to it.
The rest are to amend the FRA to enlarge the list of stakeholders to be consulted during the budget preparation process, and ensure pre-budget consultation between the legislature and the executive as well as between the executive and the public, while budget defense by the MDAs before the committees, should be witnessed by relevant stakeholders.
They also plan to enact an organic budget law that puts together all laws relating to the budget, including a fixed and realistic budget calendar and a pre-budget statement; alter Section 162 of the Constitution; recognize saving by the three tiers of government through the Federation Account and provide legal backing for excess revenue savings to enable the country save revenue windfalls and stabilize government expenditure during fiscal crisis.
Other issues include the development of a budget manual which shall embody the procedure for public participation in the budget process and public access to budget information during the budget preparation process; amendment of Section 19 of FRA to include project documents in the list of budget documentation; amend Part III of the FRA to provide for reporting standards and information sharing arrangements; and the provision of effective timelines for monthly and quarterly financial and non-financial reports, which must be uploaded on a dedicated website.
It is also to develop and publish criteria or methodology for determining the aggregate expenditure estimate and its allocation to sectors and line items, and expand the information content of the Budget Call Circular to include the modalities for public participation in the budget preparation process; while further developing the capacity of MDAs and other relevant stakeholders to effectively apply the zero-based budgeting technique or any other performance-based technique that may be adopted.
The committee also urged the National Assembly to strengthen the capacity of its committees in the area of budget scrutiny and appraisal by helping members and the staff to undergo training and enlightenment programme on the economy and budget appraisal.
Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, ýasked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on employment to enable government address the challenges facing youth unemployment in the country.
Sponsor of the motion, Senator Duro Faseyi, representing Ekiti North Senatorial District maintained that the number of unemployed Nigerians rose from 24.4million in the first quarter to 26.06million, ýsaying the situation had worsened as some companies have closed shops due to recession.
“We are worried that the economic recession which has hit the country would multiply the level of unemployment in the country as more companies have started downsizing in order to cut costs”, Faseyi noted.
In his contribution, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, maintained that government cannot create job opportunities for everybody, while suggesting that government should create policies that empowers private sectors.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, no government provides jobs for all citizens anywhere in the world, but what we should do is empower the private sector”, he said
Senate Rose Oko asked government to look towards agriculture which has capacity to absorb sizeable number of citizens which at the same provides availability of food at the same time.
In his prayers, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, asked the minister of labour and productivity, to provide blue print for employment as well as ensure the enlistment of Nigerians in security outfits.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.