Full List: Lawyers, Nurses Others to Pay More for Membership as FG Stops Professional Bodies, Councils Funding
- The federal government has decided to stop funding professional bodies and councils in the country
- The decision will take effect in 2024 and will require the affected bodies to seek other ways of generating revenue
- This development implies that nurses, doctors, and other professionals may have to pay higher registration fees for membership in the professional bodies
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The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to stop budgetary allocation to fund professional bodies and councils starting December 2024.
This was disclosed in a memo dated June 26, 2023, from the Budget Office of the Federation to one of the affected councils.
The Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, signed the memo.
Source: Facebook
According to the memo, the changes align with the decision of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS).
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ChannelsTV reports that funding will be stopped for at least 30 professional bodies and councils.
While the remaining professional bodies, apart from the initial 30, will no longer receive budgetary allocations starting from December 2026.
Part of the letter reads:
“I wish to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) at its 13th meeting approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective 31st December 2026,” the memo partly read.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above stated date, and, you will be regarded as a self-funded organisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective 31st December 2026, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.”
Implication of government's decision
The government's decision to cease funding professional bodies and councils in Nigeria will have several implications.
Firstly, new graduates and practitioners aspiring to become members of these professional bodies will likely face increased registration fees.
With the organisations now relying on self-funding, one of the primary sources of revenue will be the registration and membership renewal fees.
See the complete list of the professional bodies and councils affected:
A. Those whose funding would be stopped by December 2024
- Nigerian Press Council
- Advertising Regulatory Council Of Nigeria (ARCON)
- Veterinary Council Of Nigeria
- Nigerian Institute Of Soil Science (NISS) Hqtrs
- Agricultural Research Council Of Nigeria
- Financial Reporting Council Of Nigeria
- Council For The Regulation Of Freight Forwarding In Nigeria
- Council Of Nigerian Mining Engineers And Geosciences
- Survey Council Of Nigeria
- Council For The Regulation Of Engineering In Nigeria (COREN)
- Legal Aid Council – To Remain On Full Treasury Funding
- Teachers Registration Council Of Nigeria
- Computer Registration Council Of Nigeria
- Librarians Registration Council Of Nigeria
- Radiographers Registration Board
- Health Records Registration Board
- Optometrist And Dispensing Opticians Board
- Institute Of Public Analysts Of Nigeria
- Institute Of Forensics Science Laboratory Oshodi
- Institute Of Chartered Chemist Of Nigeria
- Nursing And Midwifery Council
- Pharmacist Council Of Nigeria Council
- Medical And Dental Council Of Nigeria
- Medical Lab. Science Council Of Nigeria, Yaba
- Community Health Practitioners Registration Board
- Medical Rehabilitation Therapy Board
- Dental Technologist Registration Board
- Environmental Health Registration Council Of Nigeria
*Mass Literacy Council – “Discontinue Budget Funding. To Revert To A Department In The Federal Ministry Of Education Repeal Establishment Act.
*National Council On Climate Change – Discontinue Budget Funding. Relocate To Federal Ministry Of Environment. To Exit Budget Funding After 31st December, 2024
B. Those whose funding would be stopped by December 2026
- National Council Of Arts And Culture – Discontinue Budget Funding W.E.F 2025. Federal Ministry Of Information And Culture To Rationalize The Multiplicity Of Agencies Under The Ministry
- Nigerian Council Of Food Science And Technology – “Discontinue Budget Funding After 31st December 2026.”
- Environmental Health Officer’s Tutors-Ibadan – “It Is A School, To Remain On Treasury Funding.
- Council Of Legal Education – To Remain On Full Treasury Funding
List of top government officials suspended by President Tinubu within 2 weeks
Meanwhile, in another report, Nigeria's President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commenced what is termed a cleansing of the previous officials of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is as Tinubu, within two weeks of assuming office as president, took a bold decision that has affected at least two top government officials calling the shots during the previous administration.
The president removed these top officials from office over what he termed abuse of office and a barrage of offences relating to their duties in office.
Source: Legit.ng
