The Federal Government plans to discontinue funding professional bodies and councils, according to reports.

The Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, has announced that starting from January 2024, the federal government will cease budgetary allocations for professional bodies and councils. 

In a letter addressed to these organizations, Akabueze stated that they should make necessary adjustments in order to ensure smooth operations once government funding is withdrawn. The decision to discontinue the funding was made following the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS). 

The letter emphasized that these organizations will be considered self-funded entities, meaning they will be responsible for all personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures from January 1, 2024 onwards.

 

The statement reads: “I wish to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) at its 13th meeting approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective 2026.

“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in Compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above-stated date, and you will be regarded as a self-funded organization.

“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective 31st December 2026, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.”

This decision may be related to Nigeria's massive debt burden and the need for the government to reduce the cost of governance.