The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, FCCA, CFE, led senior officials of the Bureau to defend its 2026 budget proposal before the leadership of the National Assembly Committees on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on 11 February 2026.

The budget defence session was presided over by Senator Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, alongside Rt. Hon. Prince Kayode Akiolu, Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption.

During the engagement, the Bureau highlighted its mandate-driven efforts to strengthen ethical compliance in public service while seeking adequate resources to enhance operational efficiency, implement new reforms, and improve staff welfare.

A review of the Bureau’s recent budget performance revealed that although over ₦15 billion was appropriated to cover both overhead and capital components, actual releases remained significantly lower, thereby impacting project execution and operational delivery despite the Bureau’s high level of implementation of funds released.

The session provided an opportunity for lawmakers and Bureau officials to deliberate on operational challenges facing the agency and the need for improved funding to support investigations, compliance monitoring, online asset declaration reforms, and enforcement responsibilities nationwide.

Members of the joint committees commended the Bureau’s efforts and advised that necessary additions be made to accommodate ongoing reforms within the current budget provision, which they described as inadequate and unrealistic for the Bureau’s expanding responsibilities.

The leadership of the joint committees further requested the Bureau to make necessary additional inputs to the budget to enable it to function optimally as a critical pillar in the fight against corruption in public office.