The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Executive Order 9 of 2026 is fully legal, emphasizing that it does not repeal the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) or override the legislative authority of the National Assembly.
In a statement released by Budget Office Director-General Tanimu Yakubu, the government clarified that the order was issued to safeguard the integrity of the Federation Account, Nigeria’s central public revenue system. The statement followed recent media claims questioning the legality of the directive.
“Executive Order 9 has not amended or suspended any statutory obligations established by the National Assembly, nor has it attempted to legislate in place of the Legislature,” the statement said. It stressed that an executive order only becomes unlawful if it contradicts existing law or exceeds constitutional powers—conditions not met in this case.
The government explained that under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, the President is responsible for ensuring that all laws are implemented properly and that policies operate in line with constitutional principles. Executive orders, it said, are widely recognised administrative tools used to coordinate government activities and ensure effective policy implementation.
Yakubu noted that the presence of legislation in a sector does not remove the executive’s authority to issue directives for administration. The order, therefore, is intended to ensure that petroleum revenues are properly managed, which directly affects national budgeting, fiscal transparency, and economic stability.
The government also addressed concerns over investor confidence, highlighting that clear and transparent revenue administration fosters trust and encourages investment in the petroleum sector. According to the statement, strengthening discipline around revenue management through Executive Order 9 ultimately supports Nigeria’s financial system and public finance governance.
