By George Ozalla
Federal lawmakers on Tuesday subjected top officials of key revenue‑generating agencies to rigorous questioning over persistent shortfalls in revenue collection, delays in remittances, and discrepancies in financial reporting. The session was convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance under the leadership of Representative James Abiodun Faleke, reflecting growing legislative concern about gaps in fiscal accountability and transparency.
Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Corporate Affairs Commission appeared before the committee to defend their revenue performance and provide explanations for variances between projected and actual remittances. Lawmakers made it clear that incomplete or delayed reporting would no longer be tolerated and stressed the need for precise and verifiable data to guide national financial planning.
Comptroller‑General Bashir Adeniyi, representing the Nigeria Customs Service, acknowledged challenges in implementing certain budgeted revenue items. He explained that gaps in collection were partly due to delays in enforcing excise duties on selected products and import duties on telecommunications items, and in some cases, suspension of collections following public objections. Adeniyi assured lawmakers that the agency had strengthened internal monitoring and digital tracking systems to reduce errors and ensure timely remittance of all revenue collected.
Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reported that the authority had intensified efforts to eliminate revenue leakages. She outlined the enforcement of cashless payment systems across all airports, which ensures that all fees and charges are recorded and promptly transferred to the Federation Account. Kuku also highlighted ongoing efforts to reconcile outstanding debts owed by foreign and domestic airlines, while promising detailed passenger and flight data to support transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the Corporate Affairs Commission, noting that its representative was unable to present comprehensive, up-to-date figures on registered companies and other critical revenue streams. The committee insisted that all agencies provide complete breakdowns of revenue streams, remittances, and outstanding debts within a defined timeframe. Failure to comply, lawmakers warned, would attract further legislative scrutiny and possible sanctions.
The session underscored the National Assembly’s determination to tighten oversight over public finances and address gaps in the management of government revenue. Lawmakers emphasized that accurate, verifiable data from revenue-generating agencies is essential to plug fiscal leakages, ensure timely funding of national priorities, and restore public confidence in financial governance.
