News
Budget Office Rejects Claim That NEDC Has ₦246bn Salary-Only Budget
Joel Ajayi
The Budget Office of the Federation has dismissed reports claiming that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is operating a ₦246 billion budget devoted solely to salaries, describing the allegation as false, misleading and based on a poor understanding of Nigeria’s federal budgeting process.
In a statement issued in Abuja on January 15, 2026, the Office clarified that the ₦246.77 billion reflected for the NEDC in the federal budget is a statutory lump-sum allocation prepared in line with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), not a salaries-only provision.
It explained that claims suggesting about ₦244 billion of the allocation is for personnel costs are factually incorrect.
According to the Office, during budget preparation, allocations may temporarily appear under the personnel cost line as a technical placeholder where agencies are yet to submit full internal economic breakdowns.
This, it noted, is a recognised budgeting convention pending detailed submissions, legislative scrutiny and approved reallocations during budget execution.
The Office stressed that such technical presentation should not be mistaken for actual spending intent.
Reacting to concerns over capital expenditure, the Budget Office said the ₦2.70 billion figure being cited reflects a National Assembly-approved adjustment in the 2025 budget, with about 70 per cent of the capital allocations rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year.
It said this legislative decision relates to timing and sequencing of appropriations and does not indicate a lack of development projects in the North East.
It pointed to project schedules attached to the budget, which outline ongoing and planned interventions including agricultural support, food security programmes, rehabilitation of IDP camps, construction of orphanages, borehole projects, security logistics support and constituency-level initiatives.
The Office warned that isolating a single budget line while ignoring detailed project schedules amounts to distortion rather than analysis.
Defending the inclusion of personnel costs, the Budget Office noted that development commissions require skilled professionals such as engineers, project managers, procurement officers and monitoring teams to effectively deliver projects.
On accountability, it said the NEDC is subject to multiple oversight mechanisms, including the MTEF, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly oversight, quarterly budget performance reports and statutory audits.
The statement, signed by the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, urged the public to engage responsibly with fiscal information, warning that misinformation weakens, rather than strengthens, accountability.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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