The federal government will stop funding of professional bodies and councils starting from January 2024.
There are at least 25 professional bodies and councils drawing funds from the federal government.
This was revealed in a circular released by the Budget Office of the Federation.
The circular with reference number: DG/BDT/GEN. CORR/2016/XII/3067, was dated 26 June, 2023.
The budget office asked the affected bodies to begin to make adjustments early so they can continue to run their organisations seamlessly after the government might have withdrawn its financial support.
The Director General of the budget office, Ben Akabueze, said the decision was in line with the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PSC).
The circular said, “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 1st January, 2024.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office (Budget Office of the Federation) will no longer make budgetary provisions for your institution, which means that you will be regarded henceforth as a self-funded organization.
There are at least 25 professional bodies and councils under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Information and Communication, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Mines and Steel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Environment.
The affected bodies and councils:
1. Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN)
2. Computer Registration Council
3. Librarians Registration Council
4. National Education Research and Development Council
5. Mass Literacy Council
6. National Examination Council (NECO)
7. West African Examination Council (WAEC)
8. Nursing and Midwifery Council
9. Pharmacist Council of Nigeria
10. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria
11. Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria
12. Environmental Health Council of Nigeria
13. Nigeria Press Council
14. Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria
15. Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geosciences
16. Veterinary Council of Nigeria
17. Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
18. Survey Council of Nigeria
19. Legal Aid Council
20. Council of Legal Education
21. National Automotive Design and Development Council
22. Nigeria Export Promotion Council
23. Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria
24. Nigeria Investment Promotion Council
25. Nigerian Council of Food Science Technology.
