Abuja – The Senate has issued a strong warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs), threatening sanctions against any that fail to honour legislative invitations or obstruct oversight functions.
The warning, issued on Thursday, July 23, 2026, stems from growing frustration over repeated non-compliance by several agencies, particularly their refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance for interactive sessions on internally generated revenue (IGR), operating surpluses, and remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
In a decisive move, the upper chamber resolved to fully activate its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and Senate Standing Orders, to compel compliance and penalise persistent defaulters.
The resolution followed a motion titled “Motion on the Persistent Non-Compliance by Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with the Oversight Activities of the Senate Committee on Finance,” sponsored by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and co-sponsored by 28 other senators.
Presenting the motion, Senator Musa emphasised the National Assembly’s constitutional mandate to investigate the administration and expenditure of public funds, expose corruption, inefficiency, and waste, and promote transparency and accountability.
He cited Order 97 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, which empowers standing committees to oversee MDAs and GOEs within their jurisdictions.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) described oversight as a critical tool for supporting the executive in ensuring compliance with financial laws. He noted that the President should not be held responsible for the actions of erring agencies.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) stressed the need for the National Assembly to assert its authority, declaring: “This is not the job of the President. This is our job, and we need to act.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio reinforced the chamber’s resolve, stating that the Senate would no longer tolerate repeated disregard for its invitations and would invoke necessary powers where required. He directed committees to identify serial defaulters and recommend appropriate sanctions.
Among the agencies expected to explain alleged non-remittances into the CRF between 2023 and 2025 are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), JAMB, NECO, NDIC, and NAHCON, among others.
The Senate also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and relevant ministers to ensure full compliance by agencies under their supervision.
The Clerk of the National Assembly has been directed to communicate the resolution to all affected institutions for immediate action.
Following deliberations, the Senate adopted five out of six prayers in the motion by voice vote. The chamber subsequently adjourned plenary for its annual recess and is expected to resume on September 15, 2026.
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