The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed optimism that the 2026 budget will meet the operational needs of his ministry and its agencies.
Idris made the remarks on Tuesday after the executive session of the 2026 Joint Budget Defence Meeting with National Assembly committees in Abuja. He urged lawmakers to ensure adequate funding to enable the ministry to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities.
“At the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we are responsible for ensuring Nigerians are informed, enlightened, and educated about government programmes and policies. All national priorities ought to be articulated by the Minister of Information. Without proper funding, this responsibility cannot be effectively achieved. We are on the same page with the National Assembly,” he said.
Idris expressed hope that lawmakers would secure sufficient funding to enhance public awareness of government policies. He noted that agencies under the ministry, including the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, and News Agency of Nigeria, require adequate funding to function optimally.
“I know Mr President is keen to ensure we receive necessary support so Nigerians are better informed and enlightened,” he added.
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He thanked the joint Senate and House committees for their efforts in improving the ministry’s funding last year and noted that the House Committee Chairman had pledged to take up the matter with National Assembly leadership.
On budget specifics, Idris said the ministry’s capital allocation for 2026 stands at N1.434 billion, while overhead is N1.27 billion. He noted that government policy commitments would account for about 70 per cent of allocations into 2026.
He also highlighted that in 2025, personnel costs were appropriated at N5.588 billion, with additional allocations amounting to N932.05 million.