House of Reps Steps Down 2026 Budget Review for National Centre for Technology Management
The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Engineering on Thursday postponed consideration of the 2026 budget proposal of the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), escalating tensions between lawmakers and the agency’s leadership.
The committee also moved to delete the agency’s allocation from the 2026 Appropriation Bill and recommended the immediate removal of its Director-General, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, for failing to appear before the panel to defend the proposal. Lawmakers were particularly frustrated by the DG’s failure to submit required documents for legislative scrutiny.
The budget defence session, presided over by Committee Chairman Mr. Inuwa Garba of Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency, highlighted that presidential appointees must honor legislative invitations, especially during budget cycles. Garba stressed that ignoring such invitations undermines constitutional oversight and democratic governance.
This incident reflects a recurring pattern where agency heads fail to appear before the National Assembly or delegate junior officials without proper notice, prompting committees to threaten allocation cuts or sanctions.
In a related development, the committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the 2025 budget performance and the 2026 proposal of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFOST). Lawmakers questioned the council’s low internally generated revenue (N385,000 in 2024; N285,860 in 2025) and the sharp rise in overhead costs from N95.4m in 2025 to N195.73m in 2026.
NiCFOST Registrar Mrs. Veronica Nkechi-Eze explained that the council’s revenue comes mainly from registration and professional dues, but could not justify the significant overhead increase. Committee Chairman Garba noted that these issues would be addressed after further engagement before a final decision.
The development underscores ongoing friction between Nigeria’s National Assembly and federal agencies over accountability, transparency, and compliance during the budget process.
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