Tinubu-Approved Funds Stalled As Information Ministry Agencies Face Payment Freeze
Presidentially Approved Funds for Information Agencies Delayed Amid Administrative Dispute
Cash Releases Stall Despite Presidential Approval
FRESH concerns have emerged over the implementation of the 2026 federal budget following reports that funds approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation have remained unreleased for more than a week, allegedly due to an administrative disagreement within the ministry.
The affected agencies include the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the Voice of Nigeria (VON), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), all of which rely on government funding to execute statutory responsibilities and ongoing programmes.
Although the exact amount approved has not been independently verified, multiple sources familiar with developments said the presidential approval was granted several weeks ago to support the agencies’ operations.
Permanent Secretary Allegedly Withholds Payment Processing
According to officials familiar with the matter, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Binyerem Ukaire, has yet to authorise the release of the funds.
Sources claimed the delay stems from her insistence that chief executives of the affected agencies personally brief her on their activities, ongoing projects and intended utilisation of the approved allocations before payment files are processed.
Several agency heads, who spoke anonymously, reportedly questioned the demand, arguing that it departs from established administrative procedures governing relationships between ministries and autonomous agencies.
One senior official said the impasse has slowed project implementation and disrupted routine operational activities across several organisations within the ministry.
Another source disclosed that despite intervention by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the disagreement remains unresolved.
Questions Over Supervisory Authority
The dispute has renewed debate over the administrative relationship between federal ministries and parastatal agencies.
Officials familiar with existing civil service regulations argued that agency chief executives are accountable primarily to their governing boards and supervising ministers rather than permanent secretaries.
Attention has also focused on an existing circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which outlines the operational autonomy of federal parastatals.
The document emphasises that ministries should avoid assuming day-to-day management responsibilities for agencies established by law and cautions against interference in their financial administration beyond established oversight mechanisms.
Although the circular dates back to 2 August 1999, there is no publicly available indication that it has been withdrawn or superseded.
Permanent Secretary Responds
When contacted for clarification, Mrs. Ukaire confirmed that the funds had not yet been released but maintained that the payment process was ongoing.
According to her, “The file is undergoing processing.”
No further explanation was provided regarding the timeline for completing the disbursement.
Potential Impact on Budget Implementation
Analysts note that delayed cash releases have become one of the recurring obstacles affecting implementation of approved federal budgets in recent years.
Many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have previously cited delayed funding as a major reason for postponed procurement processes, stalled infrastructure projects and slower delivery of public services.
Should the present delay persist, affected information agencies may face disruptions to planned programmes, contractual obligations, operational schedules and performance targets tied to the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The development also highlights broader concerns over administrative coordination within government institutions and the importance of ensuring that approved public funds are released promptly to support effective service delivery.
