The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to disclose documents relating to the PFIPC budget allocation of more than ₦1.3 billion contained in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The organisation also urged lawmakers to launch a constitutional investigation into how funds were approved for what the Presidency has described as a fictitious government body.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 4, 2026, SERAP asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to release certified copies of all records relating to the approval of ₦1,302,978,784 allocated to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The request, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, also urged the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to investigate the circumstances surrounding the PFIPC budget allocation.
SERAP requested certified records identifying members of the National Assembly committees that considered the allocation, as well as the names and official designations of government representatives who defended the proposed budget before lawmakers.
The organisation also asked the National Assembly to clarify whether the allocation originated from the Executive’s Appropriation Bill or was introduced during the legislative review process.
Additionally, SERAP wants lawmakers to disclose whether any member of the National Assembly questioned the legal status, establishment or operational mandate of the alleged agency during budget deliberations and what actions were taken in response.
According to SERAP, reports indicate that the PFIPC received more than ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget despite the Presidency’s public declaration that the council was never legally established. The organisation said the conflicting positions have raised significant concerns about Nigeria’s budget approval process, legislative oversight and public financial accountability.
SERAP stated: “these conflicting accounts raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management and accountability.”
The organisation argued that the Constitution requires the National Assembly not only to approve government spending but also to thoroughly scrutinise executive budget proposals before authorising public expenditure.
SERAP maintained that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that did not legally exist. It warned that failure to release the requested records within seven days would result in legal action to compel compliance.
The organisation said disclosure of the requested information would strengthen public confidence in the National Assembly, improve transparency in public finance management and enable citizens to properly assess the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.
SERAP also cited provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the 1999 Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Tshwane Principles, arguing that public authorities have an obligation to disclose information relating to public expenditure and allegations of official misconduct.
The organisation maintained that full disclosure of records connected to the PFIPC budget allocation is essential for transparency, accountability and public trust in Nigeria’s appropriation process.
