The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the leadership of the National Assembly to explain the allocation of ₦1,302,978,784 to what it described as a fictitious presidential council in the 2026 Appropriation Act, raising concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s budget process.
The organisation made the demand in a Freedom of Information request dated Friday, July 4, 2026, and made public on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
The request, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
SERAP said the 2026 budget contains an allocation of ₦1,302,978,784 to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to in the budget as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
According to the organisation, the Presidency has publicly stated that the council does not exist and was never established by the Federal Government, creating what it described as a serious accountability concern.
SERAP called on the National Assembly to release certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation and to disclose how the provision found its way into the Appropriation Act.
“Urgently disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion (₦1,302,978,784) to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.”
The organisation also urged lawmakers to invoke their investigative powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to establish how the allocation was approved and identify anyone responsible for any irregularities.
“Promptly exercise the National Assembly’s constitutional powers under sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allocation to ‘a fictitious presidential council’ in the 2026 Appropriation Act and to identify anyone responsible for any irregularities.”
SERAP further requested that the National Assembly disclose the committees that considered the allocation, the lawmakers involved in its approval, the public officials who defended the budget proposal and whether the allocation originated from the Executive’s budget proposal or was introduced during legislative consideration.
The organisation said the conflicting accounts between the budget document and the Presidency’s position raise fundamental questions about transparency and public financial management.
“These conflicting accounts raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management and accountability.”
SERAP also reminded lawmakers of their constitutional responsibilities.
“Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law.”
The organisation warned that it could pursue legal action under the Freedom of Information Act if the requested documents are not released within the period prescribed by law.
As of Monday, July 6, 2026, neither Akpabio nor Abbas had publicly responded to the request, while the National Assembly had not announced any investigation into the disputed allocation.