The Federal Government of Nigeria has executed its earlier decision to remove 26 professional bodies and councils of agencies from its budgetary allocations in the 2024 budget.
According to the Budget Office, this decision is expected to result in a savings of N27.72 billion in budgetary allocations for the upcoming year.
The initiative, first announced in June by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Akabueze Ben, outlined the discontinuation of budgetary allocations to professional bodies and councils effective December 31, 2023. The decision was communicated through a letter marked DG/BDT/GEN. CORR/2016/XII/3067, dated June 26, 2023, addressed to the Registrar of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Titled “Discontinuation of Funding of Professional Bodies and Councils From 2024 Budget, In Line With The Decisions Of The Presidential Committee On Salaries,” the letter emphasised that these institutions are now considered self-funded organisations. Consequently, they will be responsible for fully covering their personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures going forward.
The letter stated, “I wish to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries, at its 13th meeting, approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective December 31, 2023.”
It further noted, “For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective December 31, 2023, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures.”
This move aligns with the government’s strategy to streamline budgetary allocations and place greater financial responsibility on these professional bodies and councils.
