Jane Salihu
The Senate Press Corps (SPC) is set to examine the role of legislative oversight and media collaboration in protecting Nigeria’s national budget from unlawful insertions and other practices that could undermine budgetary integrity.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Taiye Odewale, the 2026 Capacity-Building Workshop, scheduled for Monday, September 28, will focus on strengthening journalists’ understanding of the budget process while equipping them with tools to improve scrutiny and public accountability.
The workshop, with the theme, “Leveraging Legislative Oversight and Media Collaboration to Safeguard the National Budget from Unlawful Insertions,” is expected to bring together lawmakers, budget experts, civil society advocates, media professionals and other stakeholders.
Odewale said the theme was informed by the need for effective legislative oversight, responsible journalism and public accountability to ensure that the national budget reflects approved priorities and serves the interests of Nigerians.
Among those invited to provide expert perspectives are the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani; Director of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde; and Publisher of Eagle Times Newspaper, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere.
The workshop will also introduce participants to the growing application of Artificial Intelligence in journalism and professional practice, with London-based instructors from Mass Media TX Limited scheduled to facilitate an intensive training session.
According to the organisers, the AI component is designed to expose members of the Press Corps to emerging technologies and practical ways of applying them in contemporary media work.
The event is also expected to attract key stakeholders from the National Assembly, including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu.
Others invited are the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Kawu Sumaila; and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana.
The organisers said bringing together legislators, budget specialists, civil society actors and journalists would create an opportunity for practical discussions on budget transparency, legislative scrutiny and the media’s role in promoting accountability.
The workshop is expected to explore practical ways of strengthening the budget process, improving legislative oversight and fostering more effective engagement between the legislature and the media.
The 2026 Senate Press Corps Capacity-Building Workshop will hold at Hearing Room 231 on Monday, September 28.
