Senate approves 2025 budget for Auditor-General’s office

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC) has approved the 2025 budgetary proposal for the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF), following the resolution of initial concerns.

The approval was granted after the Auditor-General, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, addressed grey areas identified by the committee during the initial presentation earlier this week. At a re-presentation on Thursday, the committee, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (SDP, Nasarawa West), gave its express approval, noting that all concerns had been resolved.

Senator Ahmed commended the Auditor-General for clarifying the issues, emphasizing the strategic importance of the OAuGF.

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“Your budget has been passed for now, but please avoid the reoccurrence of grey areas earlier observed, because your office is very strategic and sensitive,” he stated.

During the session, the Auditor-General highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly understaffing, and requested the recruitment of 247 additional staff to enhance the office’s efficiency.

In his response, Chira expressed gratitude to the committee for its reconsideration and approval, noting that the budget, once passed by the National Assembly, would significantly improve the office’s capacity to perform its duties in 2025.

The approved budget will now proceed to the appropriation committee for inclusion in the national budget.