By Damilola Adeleke

The Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended the exclusion of 24 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the University of Ibadan, National Examination Council (NECO), and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, from the 2025 budget.

This move comes as a result of repeated failures by these institutions to account for previous budgetary allocations and internally generated revenues.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, the committee, led by Chairman Bamidele Salam, revealed that the affected MDAs consistently disregarded invitations to provide clarity on their financial dealings. Salam emphasized that Financial Regulations empower the National Assembly to exclude any agency that does not comply with established accountability standards. He noted that until these institutions appear before the committee and address the issues raised, they should be excluded from the budget.

The committee cited prominent agencies, including federal hospitals, universities, and government development organizations, as culprits. Institutions such as the Federal Medical Centre in Bida, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, and various federal colleges and polytechnics were implicated.

Other agencies under scrutiny include the Nigeria Police Force, the National Health Insurance Authority, and the National Space Research and Development Agency.

In addition, institutions like the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan, the University of Lagos, and the Federal School of Survey in Oyo State were identified for failing to comply with financial accountability requirements. According to the committee, these MDAs have not only neglected their obligation to provide financial reports but have also disregarded multiple invitations to clarify their use of public funds.Salam stressed that the resolution was necessary to enforce financial discipline and ensure that public funds are utilized responsibly. He added that the MDAs must appear before the constitutional committee to avoid further sanctions.