The Senate Committee on Information has the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to re-work and re-submit the 2025 budget proposals.
A budget defence session between the committee and the agencies ended abruptly on Thursday after the former raised objections to the documents the latter tabled.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Kenneth Eze (APC, Ebonyi Central), questioned the feasibility and impact of projects outlined by the two agencies.
Mallam Issa-Onilu, the Director General of NOA, faced scrutiny over the agency’s National Identity Project, which the committee argued was largely unknown to Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots.
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Eze emphasised the need for clarity and tangible outcomes in the NOA’s initiatives, stating, “Programs must resonate with the people and contribute visibly to national development. The current proposal lacks these elements.”
Making his defence, Mallam Issa-Onilu maintained that the National Identity Project is crucial for fostering a shared value system and national cohesion.
“The challenge with our value system is tied to our national identity. This project is vital for galvanizing Nigerians toward nation-building, development, and growth,” he told the panel.
Notwithstanding his explanation, the committee insisted that the NOA rework its programs to better align with national priorities before seeking appropriation for 2025.
In the same vein, the Director-General of NAN, Ali Mohammed Ali, was criticised for presenting inconsistent figures in the 2024 budget performance report.
The committee demanded a thorough reconciliation of the figures before any consideration of the agency’s 2025 projections.
Eze noted, “We expect precision and accountability in the use of public funds. Disjointed figures undermine trust and make it difficult to plan effectively.”
The two agencies were given time to revise their proposals and reappear before the committee for further evaluation.
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