By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate Press Corps will on Monday hold its 2026 Capacity-Building Workshop, focusing on legislative oversight, budget integrity and media scrutiny of public spending.
The workshop is themed “Leveraging Legislative Oversight and Media Collaboration to Safeguard the National Budget from Unlawful Insertions.”
According to a statement signed by the Senate Press Corps Secretary, Taiye Odewale, and made available to Democracy Radio on Friday, the theme reflects the need for stronger legislative scrutiny and responsible journalism in the budget process.
The organisers said effective oversight and media reporting are important to ensuring that the national budget reflects approved priorities and serves the interests of Nigerians.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani; Director of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde; and Publisher of Eagle Times Newspaper, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, are expected to make presentations.
The workshop will also feature a practical session on the use of artificial intelligence tools in contemporary media and professional practice.
The AI session will be facilitated by London-based instructors from Mass Media TX Limited.
According to the organisers, the workshop will bring together lawmakers, National Assembly officials, budget experts, civil society advocates, media professionals and technology instructors.
Among those invited are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu.
Others include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Olamilekan Adeola; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Kawu Sumaila; and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
The organisers said the participation of key stakeholders would provide an opportunity to examine legislative scrutiny, budget transparency and the media’s role in promoting accountability.
The workshop is also expected to strengthen participants’ understanding of the budget process and encourage more professional reporting on public expenditure.
