By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate on Thursday disclosed that it would hold a high-level meeting with officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to deliberate on Nigeria’s economic outlook and the reform programmes being implemented by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The engagement, according to the Senate leadership, is part of the IMF’s ongoing Article IV Consultation with Nigeria and is expected to provide a platform for discussions on the country’s economic management and possible areas of support for the Federal Government’s reform agenda.
The planned interaction was conveyed to senators through a notice issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, and read during plenary by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin.
According to the notice, the IMF mission to Nigeria scheduled the consultation exercise to run from March 4 to March 17, 2026, during which the team will meet with key government institutions and stakeholders.
The notice stated that the IMF had specifically requested a high-level interaction with the Senate leadership to exchange views on economic management and reforms.
“The Federal Office of Finance wishes to inform the leadership of the Senate and distinguished senators that at the instance of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the International Monetary Fund Article IV Consultation in Nigeria has been scheduled to hold from March 4 to March 17, 2026,” the notice read.
It added: “The IMF mission team will engage select government institutions in meetings. Accordingly, it has requested a high-level meeting between the President of the Senate and the IMF mission team during which it intends to engage the Senate on matters of economic management.”
The consultation, the notice further explained, would provide insights into Nigeria’s economic outlook and explore ways the IMF could support the Federal Government’s ongoing reform programmes.
To ensure robust legislative input, the chairmen of critical Senate committees with mandates in fiscal and economic policy have been invited to attend the session.
They include the committees on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions; Appropriations; Capital Markets; Finance; Petroleum Resources (Upstream); National Planning and Economic Affairs; and Public Accounts.
The meeting between the IMF delegation and the Senate leadership is scheduled to take place in Conference Room 301, New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
*Senate confirms three of Tinubu’s nominees
Meanwhile, the Senate also confirmed three key nominations submitted by President Tinubu for federal appointments.
The red chamber approved the nomination of former Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, as a Non-Career Ambassador.
It also confirmed Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
In addition, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq (retd.) as National Electoral Commissioner representing the North-East geopolitical zone in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmations followed the consideration and adoption of reports presented by relevant Senate committees after screening the nominees.
Presenting the report on Dakingari’s nomination, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), said the nominee possessed the requisite experience for the diplomatic role.
Similarly, the confirmation of Yusuf as NAHCON chairman was part of the committee’s recommendations, which the Senate adopted.
The red chamber also considered the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which screened Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq for appointment as National Electoral Commissioner in INEC.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), said the nominee demonstrated competence and integrity during the screening exercise.
Following the adoption of the report, the Senate approved her appointment to represent the North-East in the electoral body.
*Plenary adjourned till March 31 for holidays
Meanwhile, the Senate adjourned plenary until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to allow lawmakers to observe the upcoming Sallah and Easter holidays.
Announcing the adjournment, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged committees to continue legislative work during the recess, particularly on the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
“We must ensure that work on the 2026 budget proposal is expedited so that once we resume plenary, the report will be ready for consideration and passage,” Akpabio said.
He added that the move would help ensure the timely processing of the budget and sustain legislative oversight of government programmes.
