The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (FMSDIGA), Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, seeking greater partnership and support in the execution of the Ministry’s statutory mandate.
During the visit, Dr. Ihemelandu stressed the vital role of budgetary support in enabling the Ministry to effectively carry out its coordination and oversight functions, especially in the area of special and constituency projects. He highlighted the Ministry’s responsibility in verifying and certifying the completion of such projects before payments are made, noting that “challenges such as duplication, abandonment, and poor execution can only be addressed through closer institutional collaboration.”
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that inter-agency synergy is key to the success of the government’s developmental agenda. He called for increased budgetary allocation to FMSDIGA to enable it to implement robust project verification frameworks, monitor outcomes, and ultimately ensure that appropriated funds translate into real development impacts. He proposed the creation of a joint technical committee between both institutions for seamless communication, data sharing, and periodic evaluation.
In his response, the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, acknowledged the importance of the Ministry’s role and assured the Permanent Secretary of his Office’s willingness to collaborate. He noted that engaging key stakeholders — particularly the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Budget, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation — would be necessary to push for increased budgetary allocation.
Mr. Yakubu also revealed that the Budget Office has a dedicated directorate handling constituency projects and expressed readiness to work closely with FMSDIGA to ensure a streamlined, accountable, and impactful implementation process going forward.
Signed:
Mandal Francis Martin
(CIO) Press and Public Relations Unit
