Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged lawmakers to prioritize the protection of public funds, emphasizing the National Assembly's duty to guard the public purse. Speaking at the 2026 Capacity-Building Workshop organized by the Senate Press Corps, Akpabio stressed the importance of legislative oversight and media collaboration in promoting transparency and accountability in the budget process. The workshop, themed "Leveraging Legislative Oversight and Media Collaboration to Safeguard the National Budget from Unlawful Insertions," brought together key stakeholders to discuss the role of lawmakers and the media in ensuring responsible management of public resources.
Akpabio tasked journalists covering the Senate with setting the highest standard for parliamentary reporting in Nigeria, urging them to deepen their understanding of the Constitution and the rules governing the institution. He emphasized the need for thorough and careful reporting, noting that journalists must balance the demand for immediate reports with the responsibility to ensure accuracy. According to Akpabio, parliamentary journalism requires being thorough and careful, as sensational claims can be rewarded immediately, but careful corrections often reach fewer people.
The Senate President highlighted the importance of credible reporting in an environment where public officials and institutions are often subjected to intense scrutiny. He stressed that Nigeria needs reporting strong enough to withstand scrutiny, adding that the public deserves facts that help them confront the country's challenges. Akpabio also encouraged journalists to expose wrongdoing but warned against presenting unverified claims as facts, emphasizing the need for patriotism and responsible reporting.
Akpabio's charge to lawmakers and journalists comes amid concerns about the management of public resources in Nigeria. The country's budget has been criticized for being too small for its population, and there have been calls for greater accountability in the management of public funds. The Senate President's emphasis on protecting the public purse and promoting transparency and accountability is seen as a step in the right direction.
The workshop featured presentations from key stakeholders, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Director of BudgIT, Mr Oluseun Onigbinde; Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mallam Auwal Musa Rafsanjani; and Publisher of Eagle Times Newspaper, Mr Ikechukwu Chukwunyere. Their presentations focused on different aspects of the budget process, legislative oversight, media reporting, and the need for greater accountability in the management of public resources.
The event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting transparency and accountability in the budget process. Akpabio's address was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu. The Senate President's emphasis on the importance of collaboration between lawmakers and journalists in safeguarding the public purse was seen as a welcome development.
The capacity-building workshop is part of efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Senate and the media, with a focus on promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. The event aimed to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to report effectively on parliamentary activities and promote good governance. Key points from the workshop include the need for lawmakers and journalists to collaborate in safeguarding the public purse, the importance of thorough and careful reporting, and the need for greater accountability in the management of public resources.
Key points
- Akpabio urges lawmakers to prioritize protection of public funds.
- Senate President tasks journalists on thorough reporting.
- Workshop focuses on promoting transparency and accountability in budget process.
