Senators lament funding shortfalls, warn of budget implementation crisis

Some senators have raised alarm over what they described as severe funding shortages, warning that the situation is crippling the work of standing committees and threatening effective budget implementation.

The concerns were voiced on Friday during a meeting between the Senate Committee on Appropriations, led by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), and chairmen of various Senate 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 allocation since its inauguration.

“Mr Chairman, you have outlined the timetable for consideration of the 2026 budget, but the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, which I belong to, has not received a dime since it was formed,” Ani said.

According to him, the lack of funds has made it impossible for the committee to convene meetings or engage relevant agencies, adding that other Senate committees overseeing zonal development commissions were facing similar challenges.

Echoing the concern, Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West), warned that the enthusiasm which greeted the establishment of the commissions was fast giving way to frustration.

“The excitement that followed the creation of the commissions should not be allowed to turn into disappointment and lamentation due to lack of funding,” Zam said.

Broadening the discussion to budget execution, Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (PDP, Osun West), cautioned that poor funding and delayed releases were threatening the Federal Government’s pledge to implement a single budget cycle from April 1, 2026.

He noted that parts of the 2024 capital budget were yet to be funded, while the 30 per cent capital component of the 2025 budget, expected to expire by March 31, remained unpaid.

“Today is January 30. That leaves barely two months to clear the backlog of the 2024 and 2025 budgets if the promised single budget implementation from April 1, 2026, is to be realised,” Olalere said.

He urged the Appropriations Committee to intensify oversight of revenue-generating agencies to ensure adequate funding of approved budgets.

In the same vein, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (APC, Osun East) lamented the lingering debt from the 2024 budget, saying contractors were still unpaid.

“I concur with my colleague from Osun State. The 2024 budget has not been fully implemented, and affected contractors are still protesting,” Fadaunsi said, calling on the committee to engage critical stakeholders to resolve outstanding obligations.

However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) urged his colleagues to exercise patience, advising that a clearer picture would emerge once full details of the ₦58.472 trillion 2026 budget were made available.

Following Oshiomhole’s intervention, Senator Adeola called for an executive session, requesting journalists to excuse themselves.