…By Henry George for TDPel Media. In a move aimed at reducing government spending, the federal government of Nigeria has announced plans to slash funding for various professional bodies, councils, and associations in the country.
The decision, which will come into effect from January 2024, was communicated to the concerned organizations through a letter from the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze.
Adjustments Required Ahead of Funding Cut
The circular, dated June 26, 2023, outlined the necessity for the affected bodies to make necessary adjustments in response to the impending funding reduction.
Referring to the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS), Akabueze emphasized that the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to professional bodies and councils had been approved during the committee’s 13th meeting.
Self-Funding Requirement and Responsibilities
The memo made it clear that as of January 1, 2024, the professional bodies and councils would be considered self-funded organizations.
Consequently, they would assume full responsibility for their personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures.
The Budget Office of the Federation, as stated in the communication, would no longer include provisions for their funding in the federal budget.
Multiple Ministries Affected
The impact of this decision will be felt across various ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Information and Communication, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Mines and Steel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Environment.
These ministries house approximately 25 professional bodies and councils that currently receive funding from the federal government.
Range of Affected Bodies
Among the professional bodies and councils that are expected to be affected by the funding cuts are the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Computer Registration Council, Librarians Registration Council, National Education Research and Development Council, Mass Literacy Council, National Examination Council (NECO), and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) under the Ministry of Education.
Impact on Healthcare and Other Sectors
In the healthcare sector, organizations such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria will also face financial implications.
Additionally, bodies like the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Press Council, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geosciences, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Survey Council of Nigeria, Legal Aid Council, Council of Legal Education, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, and the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology will be affected as well.
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