By Mercy Gadia
The joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on Interior, on Tuesday, lauded the many reformative efforts of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, since he assumed office.
The commendations came during the joint session of both Committees in the National Assembly, during the appearance of the Honourable Minister and members of the interior team, for the 2026 budget defence session.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, while giving the commendations on behalf of the joint session, acknowledged the various reforms being undertaken by the Minister, saying, such efforts are yielding serious results in placing the country’s image high, within and internationally.
“Each time I pass through our airports now, I feel honored and elated that our immigration service is wearing a new phase. The reforms currently being undertaken by the Minister is yielding appreciable results” Oshiomhole said.
While he admitted more efforts needed to be done to make the reforms lasting one, the Chairman said the Lawmakers acknowledged the improvements on the various sectors in the ministry.
“Recently, the President directed that the Civil Defence Corps should provide security for the VIPs, though I’m yet to get any, but I have probably seen some with my colleagues. It shows renewed recognition on the part of Mr. President and it shows you’re doing well and your service is entrusted with the protection of lives and properties.
“We have the new CG of Fire Service now and just this morning, the Senate passed a resolution for the Interior to go to Kano, to see for themselves, the fire incidents that raised down many stores, private properties in Kano. So, the effort of Fire Service is also well appreciated.
“The Correctional Service now has a new Head, who is trying his best to put efforts in place, in line with the reforms of the Honorable Minister. I know there are couples of things to do, and I’m sure they will get it done”, the Senator added.
The Chairman, however, tasked the Civil Defence, Correctional, Immigration and Fire Service Board on the ongoing recruitment process, saying applicants who wrote examinations were angling to get their results out on time.
He charged the Board to as a matter of urgent national importance, conclude the recruitment process and release the list for successful applicants.
[17/02, 17:40] Nancy: Nass Joint Committee on National Planning Reaffirms Commitment to $1 Trillion Economy Target
The Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on National Planning today held an oversight session with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and its agencies, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening fiscal governance and advancing Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation agenda.
In his opening remarks, the Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee Senator Yahaya Abdulahi apologized for the delayed commencement of the session and emphasized that the meeting was convened in accordance with Section 88(3) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to conduct oversight on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He noted that while Nigeria has recorded measurable progress in economic stabilization and reforms, the nation’s ambition of achieving a $1 trillion economy demands stronger planning frameworks, credible projections, and measurable performance outcomes.
“This session is not only about what has been spent. It is about how we intend to grow, how we are progressing, and how we plan to achieve our economic targets,” he stated.
The Committee requested detailed briefings on:
Actual 2024 budget performance
Development assistance received
Project titles, locations, and beneficiary impact
Key implementation activities for 2025
Projections and priorities for 2026 and beyond
Responding, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing reform efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as among the most comprehensive economic reform packages undertaken in Nigeria’s history.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s reform trajectory has received global recognition from institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which recently acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution to global growth and fiscal restructuring efforts.
According to the Minister, reforms in fiscal federalism have significantly improved sub-national revenues, with states now receiving substantially higher allocations compared to previous years. He described this as a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s constitutional federal structure.
He further outlined key development partner interventions, including:
A $1 billion support package for primary healthcare, education, and governance reforms
The $500 million Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme
Project preparation support agreements with the International Finance Corporation (IFC)
On budget implementation, the Minister acknowledged existing constraints, including rising global interest rates, debt servicing pressures, and exchange rate fluctuations. However, he expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would continue to yield positive outcomes, including improved inflation trends and strengthened domestic production.
The Committees reiterated the importance of aligning the National Development Plan with annual budgets to ensure performance-based resource allocation and measurable economic outcomes.
The session concluded with a renewed commitment from both the Legislature and the Executive to deepen collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s development priorities as the country moves toward 2026 and beyond.
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The National Assembly has commended Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for reforms in Immigration, Civil Defence, Fire and Correctional Services, urging swift conclusion of ongoing recruitment.