The Senate plans to propose a bill establishing a new budget office at the National Assembly.

The Senate has moved forward with a bill to establish the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO).

Sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), the proposed legislation aims to provide the National Assembly with objective, timely, and non-partisan analysis essential for economic and budget decisions. Introduced by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) on behalf of Senator Barau, who presided over the session, the bill envisions the creation of an autonomous entity dedicated to furnishing the National Assembly with detailed and impartial fiscal analysis and budgetary insights.

This initiative aims to equip the legislative body with the necessary tools for making informed economic and budgetary decisions, thereby enhancing government accountability and the effectiveness of public spending.

Leading the debate, Bamidele stated that the bill aims “to provide the National Assembly with objective, timely, and nonpartisan analysis, information, and estimates necessary for economic and budget decisions, to offer independent, unbiased, and nonpartisan analysis of every aspect of government budget estimates, to provide independent and continuous review and monitoring of existing and proposed programs and budgets for the federal government, and to offer analysis of the economic implications of the federal budget on the private sector and the budgetary and financial implications of any proposed legislation, as required by any Committee of the National Assembly.”

 Highlighted the establishment of NABRO

Echoing the sentiment, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West) underscored the establishment of NABRO as a critical step in aligning Nigeria’s budgetary practices with international standards. He emphasized the office’s role in providing a comprehensive review of budgetary documents.

The discussion also addressed the need to amend the bill’s title to include the term “Independent,” a suggestion made by Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa). This emphasizes the fundamental importance of the office’s autonomy in its operations and analyses.

Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) articulated the broader implications of the bill. He suggested that its enactment by President Bola Tinubu would empower the National Assembly to fulfill its legislative duties more effectively, leveraging enhanced authority in budgetary approvals to ensure responsible and judicious use of resources.