Discrepancies Emerge in 2026 Appropriations Act Budget Allocations
New information regarding the 2026 Appropriations Act has raised significant questions about the funding for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Intervention Promotion Council. A budget allocation of NOK 802,978,783 for personnel costs was identified, despite prior assertions by the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff indicating that such an office does not exist within the current administration, according to Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Investigations by Pointblanknews.com reveal that the agency is mentioned on pages 50 and 51 of the 2026 Appropriations Act, with a total budget allocation of N1,302,979,784. This budget not only includes personnel costs but also encompasses miscellaneous expenses of N200 million and capital project funding of N300 million.
This situation has reignited inquiries into the agency’s legitimacy, particularly following a disclaimer issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff on June 11, 2026. The announcement attempted to clarify the presidency’s non-involvement in what was referred to as the President’s Council for the Promotion of Foreign Intervention, following media reports suggesting recent appointments to the council.
The Chief of Staff’s disclaimer unequivocally stated that “No such office exists under this administration and no appointments have been made in that regard.” Furthermore, the Chief of Staff urged foreign and diplomatic missions, financial and multilateral institutions, and development agencies to disregard any communications regarding the so-called Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
However, at a press conference in Abuja, Prince Adeniyi Mathew, the head of the agency in question, argued that the budget allocations contradict the Chief of Staff’s claims. Mathew challenged, “If this institution does not exist and is included in the Nigerian national budget, that means the entire 2026 appropriation budget is a fraud and should be scrapped.”
Expressing concerns about the integrity of the budget preparation process, Mathew emphasized that appropriations bills undergo numerous reviews and stages before being ratified, including consideration by the executive branch, assessments by the Budget Office, congressional review, and final presidential approval. He urged official clarification regarding the budget’s inclusion of the council, citing the need for transparency.
In light of the discrepancies between the budget document and the Chief of Staff’s June 11 disclaimer, Mathew has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent commission of inquiry. This commission would investigate the budget references, assess relevant institutional records, and consult officials involved in the budget preparation process before making its findings publicly accessible.
The 2026 Appropriations Act, which has already been passed by Congress and signed into law, outlines spending estimates for various federal departments and agencies, including allocations for personnel, overhead, and capital projects. The ongoing debate regarding the apparent inconsistencies in the budget has sparked discussions about the potential existence of an agency in question or whether this represents a mere administrative oversight.
As of the current report, no formal explanation has been provided that reconciles the discrepancies between the appropriations and the disclaimers issued by the Chief of Staff.
