Nigeria’s House of Representatives has resolved to constitute an adhoc committee to investigate how provisions attributed to an alleged fake agency, named the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, entered the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The House resolution, which followed a motion of urgent public importance by Yusuf Gagdi, wants the adhoc committee to trace the provision from the executive budget proposal through committee consideration to passage and identify the stage at which it was introduced.
Gagdi noted that records have shown that the document used as basis for establishing the agency did not match with records of the National Assembly as no bill for the establishment of any such council exists.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the ease with which a single unestablished entity progressed through official processes, saying the development suggests a systemic vulnerability in the system, which he says, threaten the credibility of the Appropriation Act and the integrity of the appropriation function of the National Assembly.
Gadgi wondered why a body without any authentic instrument of establishment could enter the federal budget with a budgetary provision in excess of 1.3 billion naira, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
The House in other resolutions,
● Extended invitation to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation to clarify the verification procedures applied before new entities are admitted into the budget
● Mandated the adhoc committee to verify all ministries, departments, agencies and other bodies reflected in the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation frameworks against their instruments of establishment
● Asked the Committee to receive briefings from the relevant security and anti corruption agencies without prejudice to the proceedings pending before the Federal High Court; and to report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action
● Request the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to confirm to the House that no releases have been made, and no warrants will be honoured, in respect of any provision attributable to the entity pending the conclusion of investigations
● Resolve that in line with Sections 19, 30 and 50 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, the Budget Office of the Federation submit to the National Assembly, ahead of the presentation of each Appropriation Bill, a comprehensive list of all ministries, departments, agencies and other bodies proposed for funding, indicating for each its instrument of establishment, such that no entity not so listed and certified is admitted into the Appropriation Bill
● Reports required under agencies establishment Act be transmitted as and when due and made available to the Committees on Appropriations of both Chambers
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
