The House of Representatives has issued a stern warning to 19 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.
The agencies have been given seven days to respond to invitations from various committees of the House or face serious sanctions.
This ultimatum was announced by the Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Compliance, Rep. Yusuf Ahmed Badau, during a media briefing over the weekend.
Badau expressed deep frustration over the repeated failure of these MDAs to honour invitations from the committees.
“These invitations are not casual,” he said. “They are based on resolutions of the 10th House of Representatives, which are critical for addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.”
The resolutions, Badau explained, are rooted in the constitutional powers of the legislature under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
“These resolutions are products of thorough investigations, deliberations, and consultations aimed at ensuring good governance,” he emphasised.
A Pattern of Disrespect
According to Badau, the non-compliance by MDAs is not just an oversight but a growing trend of disregard for the legislative arm of government.
“This behaviour undermines the authority of the legislature and erodes public confidence in government institutions,” he warned.
Among the 19 MDAs listed are some high-profile entities like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Police Service Commission.
Other agencies include the National Universities Commission (NUC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
“This pattern of defiance weakens the principles of separation of powers that form the bedrock of democracy,” Badau stated.
Non-Compliance Is Unacceptable
The Committee Chairman did not mince words about the seriousness of the issue.
“Some MDAs have failed to update the House on their progress in implementing resolutions. This lack of accountability is unacceptable,” he said.
He added that such actions challenge the principles of transparency and accountability, which are essential to democratic governance.
The Committee has vowed to invoke its constitutional powers to enforce compliance.
Sanctions and Legislative Measures
Badau revealed that the House is prepared to take far-reaching measures against the defaulting MDAs.
“The Committee will engage the leadership of the National Assembly to explore legislative and administrative actions,” he declared.
He also hinted at notifying anti-corruption agencies to investigate MDAs where non-compliance points to corruption or abuse of office.
“Where waste or corruption is evident, the relevant agencies will step in,” Badau assured.
A History of Defiance
This is not the first time the House has faced such defiance.
Earlier this month, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended excluding 25 MDAs from the 2025 federal budget.
These included the National Examination Council (NECO) and the University of Ibadan (UI).
The recommendation followed persistent non-compliance with the PAC’s summons.
Chairman of the PAC, Rep. Bamidele Salam, expressed frustration at the refusal of these agencies to account for their financial operations.
“We will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the oversight functions of the House,” Salam declared.
A Warning to Defaulters
The ultimatum issued by the Committee on Legislative Compliance serves as a final warning to the erring MDAs.
Badau made it clear that the legislature will not hesitate to apply all available tools to ensure compliance.
“The House is committed to holding all MDAs accountable,” he concluded.
This move underscores the importance of legislative oversight in strengthening governance and ensuring accountability in Nigeria.
