On July 16, 2026,The President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Godswill Akpabio, has called for a comprehensive review of the National Assembly’s internal financial processes, emphasizing that the legislative body must prioritize transparency and a deeper understanding of its own budget before pursuing broader procurement reforms.
The call was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where the Senate deliberated on a motion moved by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West). The motion proposed the establishment of an internal tenders board to oversee contract awards and procurement processes within the legislature.
While addressing the chamber, President of the Senate Akpabio characterized the motion as premature. He urged lawmakers to first focus on gaining clarity regarding the National Assembly’s existing fiscal framework.
We should start with ourselves and get the two Chambers to know exactly what is going on. Personally, I have never seen the budget of the National Assembly. We need to know exactly how much is coming in and where it is being allocated.
Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate President advocated for a collaborative approach, instructing Senator Karimi to engage with the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), and the management team to conduct a thorough internal review before bringing such proposals to the floor for debate.
The motion sparked a robust discussion among lawmakers, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for fiscal oversight. Senator Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South) highlighted the importance of establishing a clear structure for scrutinizing the National Assembly’s budget, while Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) suggested that the challenges facing the legislature’s financial management stem from the need for a dedicated budget and research office. Senator Abdullahi emphasized that such an office would empower lawmakers to interrogate lines of expenditure effectively.
Following the deliberations, Senator Akpabio advised Senator Karimi to withdraw the motion, underscoring that the institution must “get its house in order” by fostering internal transparency and accountability as a prerequisite for institutional reform.
The leadership of the Senate remains committed to ensuring that the National Assembly operates with the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and internal oversight, reinforcing its role as a transparent institution for the Nigerian public.
