The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, to explain the controversial withdrawal of ₦75 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Both officials are expected to appear before the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, October 22, to clarify how the funds reportedly borrowed to meet other government obligations will be repaid.
The decision followed a heated session in Abuja on Friday, where lawmakers raised concerns about the diversion of funds earmarked for specific agencies without clear repayment terms.
Committee Deputy Chairman, Jeremiah Umaru, stressed that public funds must not be shifted across agencies without proper conditions.
He insisted on a firm repayment timeline rather than vague assurances.“For each borrowing, there should be terms and conditions attached.
You borrowed money for certain reasons, but you should be willing to return it within a specific period, even without interest, since it is government-to-government,” Umaru said.
The committee emphasized that both Oyedele and Ogunjimi must appear in person to provide concrete commitments on when the ₦75bn will be refunded, aiming to resolve the matter once and for all.