The Joint Senate and House Committees on Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy have ordered Minister Hannatu Musawa (of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy) to appear again before them on October 27, after she failed to produce vital budget documents.
During a Tuesday session chaired by Senator Ogoshi Onawo, lawmakers expressed displeasure with the ministry’s unpreparedness for the 2025 budget performance review, noting that they had given notice two months in advance.
Senator Onawo stressed that without the required documents, the committee could not move forward and described the ministry’s lack of readiness as “unacceptable.” The joint session — which included four committees — had met to coordinate oversight efforts but was compelled to adjourn once it became apparent essential records were lacking.
Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) proposed a motion to adjourn the meeting, saying,
“They should go back and get better prepared to enable us to be in tune with whatever records they have.”
Senator Pam Dachungyang (Plateau North) supported the motion, adding,
“It will be wise for you to put your house in order and come next time. We cannot be talking in vacuum — and more so, the documents are not even here.”
Attempts by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Mohammed, to persuade the lawmakers to proceed were dismissed. The committee held firm, insisting that it could not properly evaluate the ministry’s performance until all relevant documents are submitted.
