With effect from December 31, 2026, the Federal Government will discontinue budgetary allocations to professional bodies and councils.
The withdrawal of financial aid was contained in a letter addressed to the Registrar, Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
The letter, marked DG/BDT/GEN. CORR/2016/XII/3067 and dated June 26, 2023, was issued from the Budget office of the federation and signed by the Director General, Akabueze Ben.
The letter titled: Discontinuation of Funding of Professional Bodies and Councils from 2024 Budget, In Line With The Decisions Of The Presidential Committee On Salaries,” further stated that the institutions were now regarded as self-funded organisations and will henceforth be fully responsible for their personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.
The letter partly read, “I wish to inform you that, the Presidential Committee on Salaries, at its 13th meeting, approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective December 31, 2026.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make: budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above-stated date, and you will be regarded as a self-funded organisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective December 31, 2026, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures. Please accept the assurance of my best regards,” the letter concluded.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that no fewer than 25 professional bodies and councils will be affected.
The affected bodies and councils are under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Information and Communication, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Mines and Steel, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Environment will be affected by the new development.
Some of the bodies include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Computer Registration Council, the Librarians Registration Council, the National Education Research and Development Council, the Mass Literacy Council, the National Examination Council, and the West African Examination Council (Local and International) under the Ministry of Education, among others.
