The Senate has resolved to issue formal summons to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and approximately 40 other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) following their persistent refusal to honor invitations regarding public funds oversight.

The resolution was passed after a motion presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, who reported that several government-owned enterprises have actively hindered legislative inquiries into internally generated revenue, operating surpluses, stamp duty collections, and compliance with statutory financial laws.

Musa pointed out that under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly holds the explicit authority to investigate public administration and financial practices. He expressed concern over agencies holding onto revenues that rightfully belong in the Federation’s accounts—in some instances since 2020—violating directives outlined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Finance Act 2022 by remitting only a fraction of their collections.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed assertions by recalcitrant agencies that Senate committees lack the jurisdiction to compel their presence, reiterating the legislature’s constitutional powers.

Akpabio instructed the Finance Committee to present a substantive motion enabling the Senate to legally enforce their appearance through formal summons, warning that continued non-compliance will carry severe constitutional ramifications.

Among the affected institutions listed for summons are the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Examinations Council (NECO), and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).