The Senate Committee on Appropriation has received the 2026 budget presentation of the Senate Committee on Industry, with lawmakers reiterating the strategic importance of industrial agencies in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and reducing import dependence.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, Francis Fadahunsi, who presented his committee’s budget before the Appropriation panel, outlined key recommendations and defended allocations to agencies under his oversight, particularly those critical to industrial development and investment promotion.
Fadahunsi said the committee carefully reviewed personnel, overhead and capital expenditures of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), noting that most personnel costs are captured under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) of the Federation.
According to him, while personnel and overhead costs were largely sustained as proposed, the committee also maintained capital allocations to ensure continuity of ongoing projects aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.
“We observed that the personnel costs of the MDAs are mostly included in the IPPIS framework. Therefore, the personnel costs for agencies under industry and investment were sustained as proposed. The overhead and capital costs were equally maintained to enable effective performance,” he said.
He added that the committee recommended the sustenance of allocations to critical agencies, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council, describing it as pivotal to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
Fadahunsi stressed that the automotive agency plays a central role in discouraging excessive vehicle importation, promoting local manufacturing and attracting foreign direct investment.
“The responsibility of designing and developing automotive capacity locally is essential to reducing pressure on foreign exchange and creating employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
The lawmaker also underscored the importance of standards and regulatory institutions in safeguarding consumers and ensuring that locally produced goods meet global benchmarks.
Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, commended the Industry Committee for its detailed review and assured that the Appropriation Committee would give due consideration to the recommendations in line with national development priorities.
He urged agencies to clearly articulate their operational challenges to enable the National Assembly provide the necessary legislative and budgetary support.
Fadahunsi, in his concluding remarks, expressed appreciation to the Senate leadership for the opportunity granted to the Industry Committee to serve as a sub-committee of the Appropriation Committee in reviewing sectoral allocations.
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“The importance of agencies under the Industry Committee cannot be overemphasised. They are central to our desire to achieve industrialisation, reduce import dependency and strengthen our economic resilience,” he said.
The presentation forms part of the ongoing 2026 budget defence sessions at the National Assembly, as lawmakers work towards finalising the fiscal framework for the new financial year.
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