POLITICAL Economy

Reps Probe OAGF Over Funds, Unremitted Revenues

by admin on | 2026-07-14 13:30:29

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Reps Probe OAGF Over Funds, Unremitted Revenues

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

The Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives has directed the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to provide details of outstanding revenues owed to the federal government through unremitted operating surplus and other funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other agencies.

The committee also demanded an explanation over the alleged withdrawal of N15 billion from the account of the Universal Basic Education Commission and similar deductions from other agencies by the Office of the Accountant General.

The directives were issued during an investigative hearing in Abuja attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.

Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Salam, said concerns had been raised by UBEC and several Ministries, Departments and Agencies over deductions from funds meant for their statutory functions, allegedly used by the Accountant General for other purposes.

He said ongoing investigations revealed claims by UBEC of a shortfall linked to a November 2025 expenditure authority that was not released, involving N16 billion and an additional N15 billion yet to be refunded.

Ogunjimi said the government sometimes draws funds from agencies to meet urgent obligations, describing the process as a form of borrowing to be repaid.

He said such actions are based on directives from the finance minister and assessments of idle funds in agency accounts, adding that funds unused for about six months could be temporarily accessed and later refunded.

Salam, however, questioned the legality of the deductions and the claim of reimbursement, noting that affected agencies including UBEC, NASENI and the National Broadcasting Commission had complained that the withdrawals were hindering their operations.

Committee member Gboyega Isiaka also raised concerns over non-remittance of revenues, describing it as a major challenge for the country, and called for clarity on the performance of key institutions in meeting their obligations.

In response, a director provided explanations on remittance practices by major agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, stressing the need to assess actual surpluses alongside remittance figures.