AKPABIO URGES LAWMAKERS TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC FUNDS

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged lawmakers to remain committed to protecting public funds and ensuring greater accountability in the management of Nigeria’s budget.

Akpabio made the call on Monday at the 2026 Capacity-Building Workshop organised by the Senate Press Corps.

The workshop, themed “Leveraging Legislative Oversight and Media Collaboration to Safeguard the National Budget from Unlawful Insertions,” focused on legislative oversight and the role of the media in promoting transparency in the budget process.

Represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, Akpabio said the National Assembly had a responsibility to guard public resources on behalf of Nigerians.

He also urged journalists covering the Senate to improve their understanding of the Constitution and parliamentary procedures to ensure accurate reporting.

The Senate President said parliamentary reporting required thoroughness and caution, particularly when dealing with allegations involving public officials and institutions.

He urged journalists to investigate and report wrongdoing while avoiding the presentation of unverified claims as established facts.

Akpabio said credible reporting was important to public accountability, especially as government policies and institutions faced increasing scrutiny.

The workshop also featured presentations by Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu, BudgIT Director Oluseun Onigbinde and other stakeholders on budgeting, legislative oversight and the management of public resources.