DEVELOPING -The Federal Government of Nigeria as announced it discontinue budgetary allocations to professional bodies and councils, effective December 31, 2026.
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In a memo to one of the affected councils dated June 26, 2023, the Budget Office of the Federation said the move was in line with the decision of the Presidential Committee On Salaries (PCS).
The memo in circulation was signed by the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze and confirmed to Egalitarian Voice Media by a top source in the Budget Office.
“I wish to inform you that, the Presidential Committee on Salaries, (PCS) at its 13th meeting approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective 31st December, 2026,” the memo partly read.
“The purpose of this letter therefore is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above stated date and, you will be regarded as a self-funded organisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective 31st December, 2026 to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.”
There are over 30 professional associations or councils in Nigeria, with some being funded by the federal government.
At least 25 professional bodies and councils under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Information and Communication, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Mines and Steel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Environment among others will be affected6 by the new development.
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The bodies that would be affected include Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Computer Registration Council, Librarians Registration Council, National Education Research and Development Council, Mass Literacy Council, National Examination Council (NECO) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) under the Ministry of Education.
Under the Ministry of Health, those to be affected include the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria will be affected.
Others include Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Press Council, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geosciences; Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Survey Council of Nigeria, Legal Aid Council, Council of Legal Education, National Automotive Design and Development Council; Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council; the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology among others.
