The Senate on Thursday announced plans for a high-level engagement with officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss Nigeria’s economic outlook and ongoing reform programmes under the Bola Tinubu administration.
The session is part of the IMF’s Article IV Consultation with Nigeria, aimed at providing lawmakers with deeper insights into the country’s economic management framework and potential IMF support for federal government reforms.
The notice, issued by Clerk of the Senate Emmanuel Odo and read by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, stated that the consultation would run from March 4 to March 17, 2026, during which IMF officials will hold discussions with key government institutions.
The IMF specifically requested a high-level meeting with Senate leadership.
“The engagement would focus on Nigeria’s economic outlook and strategies for IMF support of ongoing federal reforms,” the notice said.
To ensure robust legislative participation, chairmen of committees with mandates related to fiscal and economic policy—including Banking, Appropriations, Finance, Capital Markets, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), National Planning, and Public Accounts were invited to the meeting.
The session is scheduled for 2pm to 3pm at Conference Room 301, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
In addition to the IMF engagement, the Senate confirmed three key federal appointments submitted by President Tinubu;Usman Dakingari, former Governor of Kebbi State, as a Non-Career Ambassador,
Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as Chairman and CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq (retd.) as National Electoral Commissioner representing the North-east in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmations followed recommendations from relevant Senate committees after screening the nominees.
Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) presented the report endorsing Dakingari, while Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) presented the report recommending Abubakar-Sadiq.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio adjourned plenary until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, for the upcoming Sallah holiday, urging lawmakers to use the recess to advance committee-level work.
He specifically directed committees handling the 2026 Appropriation Bill to intensify efforts to ensure timely budget processing and oversight of government programmes.
With the IMF engagement and appointment confirmations, the Senate reaffirmed its active role in shaping Nigeria’s economic governance and strengthening key institutions in diplomacy, electoral administration, and religious affairs.
