The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given the green light to the 2025 budget proposal for the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Despite the approval, Chira highlighted a pressing challenge facing the office—understaffing. He emphasized the need to recruit 247 additional staff members to improve operational efficiency.

It is worth recalling that the Senate had initially suspended the 2025 budget defence for the Auditor-General’s Office. The suspension arose from issues identified in the initial proposal.

Senator Aliyu Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SDP-Nasarawa), confirmed that the revised proposal had addressed all concerns. He stated, “This committee has resolved to approve the budget for onward submission to the Appropriation Committee.”

Wadada underscored the importance of the Auditor-General’s role, describing the office as an integral part of legislative oversight. He added, “The Auditor-General is, in essence, a member of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and, by extension, that of the House of Representatives. Their budget deserves the attention it requires.”

The senator also warned against future occurrences of vague proposals, stressing the sensitive nature of the Auditor-General’s office in ensuring transparency and accountability in public finance.

In his response, Auditor-General Shaakaa Chira expressed gratitude for the committee’s decision to approve the budget. “When the National Assembly passes this budget, it will significantly enhance the office’s ability to perform optimally in the new fiscal year,” Chira remarked.

This approval marks a pivotal step forward, reinforcing the critical role of the Auditor-General’s Office in promoting transparency and accountability in managing Nigeria’s public funds.