The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to provide a detailed account of all financial interventions granted to states and local governments outside the regular monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since 2023.
This followed a motion raised on Tuesday by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, who expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding several bailout and support packages disbursed by the Federal Government to subnational governments in recent years.
Dasuki noted that while these interventions—ranging from budget support facilities and infrastructure development funds to ecological and emergency relief grants—were designed to stabilize state economies and spur development, there is currently no public record showing how much was disbursed, to whom, and under what terms.
“The absence of a transparent and accessible record of these financial interventions raises legitimate concerns about fiscal accountability and value for money,” he said. “As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure proper oversight of public funds and to guarantee that these interventions are used for their intended purposes.”
He stressed that the current opacity makes it difficult for both the legislature and citizens to track the impact of the funds or ensure they align with national development priorities.
Adopting the motion, the House directed the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to, within two weeks, submit a detailed report outlining all such interventions since 2023—including the type, amount, date of release, recipient entities, and any conditions attached.
The House also mandated its Committees on Finance, Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Public Accounts to scrutinize the submissions, engage relevant stakeholders, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Lawmakers said the move demonstrates the National Assembly’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of national resources, stressing that all public funds must deliver measurable benefits to Nigerians.
