By James Isaac, Abuja
The Senate on Friday resolved to increase budgetary funding for the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in the 2025 fiscal year to strengthen its capacity to fulfill its mandate.
During the budget defence session before the Appropriations Committee, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Engr. Kenneth Emeka Eze, highlighted the inadequate funding allocated to the ministry, stressing the urgent need for more resources to address critical challenges.
Eze underscored the capital-intensive nature of the broadcast industry, lamenting that key agencies like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) struggle to keep up with modern broadcast equipment and content production. He noted that this disadvantage places the agencies behind private and international competitors.
He emphasized the importance of adequately funding the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enable it to carry out grassroots value re-orientation initiatives, reminiscent of the Mass Mobilization for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) program. According to him, a well-funded NOA could contribute significantly to tackling insecurity through societal re-engineering.
Eze further stated, “No one can tell our story better than we can. Foreign media like the VOA and BBC often emphasize negative narratives while neglecting the positive developments, as they control the technology and the narrative.”
Commending the Minister of Information for his efforts in defending and promoting government policies and programs, Eze called for greater support to ensure the ministry succeeds in its objectives.
The Senate also raised concerns about the poor remuneration of staff at NTA, which has led to the loss of skilled professionals to better-paying private media organizations. The committee members agreed that to link performance with resources, the ministry’s budget should be exempted from the restrictive envelope ceiling.
This move signaled a renewed commitment by the legislature to empower the Ministry of Information and its agencies, ensuring they play their critical roles effectively in national development and international representation.
