Senate frowns at non-implementation of resolutions by MDAs, mulls budgetary sanctions against agencies

The Nigerian Senate is poised to take a firm stance against non-compliant government agencies, with lawmakers considering budgetary sanctions for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) that have failed to implement resolutions passed by the upper legislative chamber. The move follows the adoption of a report by the Committee on Legislative Compliance, which detailed the level of adherence to Senate resolutions between July 2023 and December 2025.

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Implementation of Senate resolutions is often delayed and sometimes ignored. The executive retains the final authority to issue directives for the implementation of Senate’s resolutions.

Presenting the report, committee chairman Garba Maidoki highlighted a concerning trend of delayed or entirely ignored resolutions, particularly on critical issues like road rehabilitation and disaster management. He noted that many agencies failed to provide compliance information, demonstrating a disregard for the Senate's authority. Maidoki pointed out that a common reason for non-implementation is the lack of allocated funds in agency budgets for the required projects.

The report also brought to light specific instances of unimplemented resolutions. One such case involves the federal government's failure to compensate the family of a two-year-old boy, Eromonsele Omhonria, who was tragically killed by a stray bullet during a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operation in July 2023. Despite a petition submitted on behalf of the family, the resolution directing compensation remains unfulfilled.

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Many MDAs ignore the committee’s requests for compliance information, thereby disregarding the powers of the Committee and the Senate in general.

Under Nigerian law, while motions passed by the National Assembly do not carry the force of law like bills, they serve as directives to the executive branch and relevant agencies. The Senate's current actions signal a growing frustration with the executive's perceived lack of cooperation and a determination to enforce legislative oversight.

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Some MDAs failed to implement the resolution of the Senate especially in cases of road rehabilitation and disaster management due to non-inclusion of funds in the budget for projects execution.