Funding Of Professional Bodies : NBA Not Funded By The Federal Government Of Nigeria – Publicity Secretary, Habeeb Clarifies
The National Publicity of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akorede Habeeb Lawal has clarified that the NBA is a self-financed organization and has never been financed by the Federal Government.
The clarification came on the heels of a request by a Twitter user, @omogidi234, who tweeted, “@lawalhab, Hi. Please clarify this news that NBA was part of the Bodies funded by the FGN!”.
In a swift and brief response, the NBA Image maker wrote, “The Nigerian Bar Association is not funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and we have not seen any news report that states or suggests so!”
The clarification follows a recent directive by the Budget Office of the Federation delisting several professional bodies and councils from Federal Government’s funding. The discontinuation of funding to the different bodies would take effect on different dates.
They are;
- Nigerian Law Reform Commission
- Legal Aid Council
- Council Of Legal Education
- Nigeria Institute Of Advanced Legal Studies
- National Human Rights Commission
- Regional Centre For Int’l Commercial Arbitration
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
- Nigerian Copyright Commission
The memo further informs that funding to the Legal Aid Council and the Council of Legal Education will terminate in 2024 and 2026, respectively, but that they are still listed as receiving full Treasury funding.
It reads in part,
“A. Those whose funding would be stopped by December 2024
LEGAL AID COUNCIL—————- To Remain On Full Treasury Funding
‘B Those whose funding would be stopped by December 2026
COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDUCATION— To Remain On Full Treasury Funding”.
The move, our correspondent gathered yesterday, was in line with the recommendation in the Orosanye committee report and the recent Presidential Committee on Salaries.
The Director General, Budget Office of the Federation (BoF), Mr. Ben Akabueze, conveyed the message via memos sent to the professional bodies.
Professional bodies in Nigeria are largely responsible for research and technology development in their fields, relying on government funding to conduct ethical reviews and propose and promote new professional standards. There are over 100 professional bodies in the country.
