By Mercy Aikoye
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and National Orientation, Hon. Fatoba Olusola, has expressed dissatisfaction with the 2025 budget allocation to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, describing it as “grossly inadequate”. The committee rejected the capital proposal for the ministry, citing the eight point nine billion naira allocation as far below expectations.
Hon. Fatoba emphasized the need for a review of the budget, stating that the committee would work closely with its Senate counterpart to ensure that the right adjustments are made. “We are going to work hand in hand with our senate counterpart to make sure that the right thing is done,” he said.
Members of the committee unanimously agreed that the budget was insufficient for the ministry’s tasks, particularly given its mandate to project Nigeria’s image both locally and internationally. The Deputy Chairman, Hon. Felix Nweke, suggested rejecting the budget outright, citing the ministry’s eight agencies and their critical role in reorienting the public.
“We are not happy that you have this meager amount to do your work for 2025,” Mr. Nweke said. “So, I rise to support my chairman and we are speaking on behalf of this committee that we are rejecting this budget proposal for the Ministry of Information.”
Other committee members, including Hon. Aliyu Gusau and Hon. Amaobi Ogah, expressed similar sentiments, with Hon. Ogah describing the allocation as “an enemy of Nigeria”. Hon. Femi Bamisile called for an urgent increase in the allocation, praising the minister as a “fanatical lover of Nigeria” and one of the country’s finest ministers.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Muhammed Idris, presented a budget of over eight point nine billion naira for 2025, highlighting the ministry’s role in providing timely and accurate information to Nigerians. He emphasized the need to restore trust and confidence in the public information sector.
Mr. Idris appreciated the committee’s concerns and promised to work with lawmakers to increase the budget allocation. “We need to tell Nigerians what the government is doing, and we need your support in the area of increasing the budget allocation to this ministry,” he said.
The minister concluded by assuring that his ministry would continue to enlighten Nigerians about government activities, working closely with heads of agencies to achieve this goal.
