By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation has rejected the N8.7 billion budgetary allocation proposed for the Ministry of Information and National Orientation for the 2025 fiscal year, deeming it insufficient to support the ministry’s mandate.
During the 2025 budget presentation, the Committee criticized the N1.2 billion allocated for capital expenditure, and described it as grossly inadequate.
The committee chairman, Rep. Fatoba Olusola, noted that the ministry’s 2024 allocation of N8.2 billion was higher than the proposed 2025 figure, even though the national budget has risen from N28.7 trillion to N49.7 trillion.
“It is unacceptable that a ministry responsible for disseminating information and shaping national orientation receives such a small portion of the national budget,” Fatoba said.
Deputy Chairman of the committee, Rep. Felix Nwaeke, expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation, suggesting the committee should lobby the House leadership for an increase.
Similarly, Rep. Ismail Tijani emphasized that the ministry’s foreign offices, which project Nigeria’s image abroad, require adequate funding to function effectively.
Rep. Akin Rotimi condemned other government agencies for duplicating the ministry’s functions without the necessary expertise, this is as he proposed consolidating all information-related budget allocations under the Ministry of Information to enhance efficiency.
Rep. Amobi Ogah added his voice to the criticisms, and called for the abolition of the envelope budgeting system, which he said restricts the ability of government agencies to perform optimally.
In response to the committee’s concerns, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, defended the ministry’s efforts to ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of government information.
He outlined plans to deepen citizen engagement through town hall meetings, ministerial briefings, and the enhancement of a centralized information portal.
The minister also highlighted the erosion of trust between the government and the public, emphasizing the need for improved communication to bridge this gap. “It’s not enough for the government to be seen building roads or hospitals; we must also instill the right values in our citizens, especially the youth,” Idris stated.
The committee resolved to reject the capital component of the budget and pledged to collaborate with the House leadership, Senate, and Ministry of Finance to secure a higher allocation for the ministry.