Senate Panel Approves Auditor-General’s 2025 Budget Proposal

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC) has approved the 2025 budget proposal for the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF), following revisions to address discrepancies identified earlier in the week.

Naija News gathered that the committee, led by Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (SDP, Nasarawa West), gave the green light to the revised proposal during its sitting on Thursday.

In his presentation, the Auditor-General, Shaakaa Chira, outlined ongoing operational challenges, particularly understaffing, which he said was hampering the office’s efficiency. Chira requested the recruitment of 247 additional personnel to bolster the workforce.

Chairman Wadada lauded the Auditor-General for addressing the issues flagged in the initial proposal, emphasizing the importance of the office to Nigeria’s accountability framework.

“The grey areas observed in the 2025 budget proposal presented by the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation earlier this week have been addressed and cleared, as seen in the updated proposal presented today,” Wadada stated.

“Accordingly, this committee has resolved to approve the budget for onward submission to the appropriation committee. Your office is both strategic and sensitive, so we expect that such issues do not recur in the future,” he added.

Budget’s Impact On Performance

Chira expressed gratitude for the committee’s approval, noting that the eventual passage of the budget by the National Assembly would enhance the office’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

“This approval will enable us to improve our performance in the 2025 fiscal year. We are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in public financial management,” Chira said.

Wadada underscored the pivotal role of the Auditor-General in the country’s governance structure.

“The Auditor-General is, in many ways, a key member of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and, by extension, the House of Representatives. The budget for this office deserves the attention it requires,” Wadada stated.