Cost of governance: FG to discontinue funding of professional bodies, councils
By Ibiyemi Mathew
In a bid to cut down on the cost of governance, the Federal government of Nigeria has announced plans to discontinue the funding of professional bodies and councils in the country.
This was revealed in a memo from the Budget Office of the Federation to the affected bodies dated June 26, 2023 in line with the decision of the Presidential Committee On Salaries (PCS).
The memo, sent to the Registrars and heads of the affected organisations, was signed by the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, and reads in part:
“I wish to inform you that, the Presidential Committee on Salaries, (PCS) at its 13th meeting approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective 31st December, 2026.
“The purpose of this letter therefore is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above stated date and, you will be regarded as a self-funded organisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective 31st December, 2026 to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.”
“Also, some others are to revert their assigned ministries, including the Mass Literacy Council – Discontinue Budget Funding. To Revert To A Department In The Federal Ministry Of Education Repeal Establishment Act.
“National Council on Climate Change – Discontinue Budget Funding. Relocate To Federal Ministry of Environment. To Exit Budget Funding After 31st December, 2024.
“National Council of Arts and Culture – Discontinue Budget Funding W.E.F 2025. Federal Ministry of Information and Culture To Rationalize The Multiplicity of Agencies Under The Ministry,” the memo stated.
While the directive will start for some of the bodies from 2024, others from 2025 and the rest from 2026.
Some of the affected organisations include; Nigerian Press Council, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Council For The Regulation of Freight Forwarding In Nigeria, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers And Geosciences, Council For The Regulation of Engineering In Nigeria (COREN), Computer Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Bar Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, amongst others.
