By John Markus
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has made history in National Assembly.
Our Correspondent reports that Senator Jibrin has been recognised for achieving a historic milestone in Nigeria’s legislative history as the first and only Lawmaker to chair the Appropriations Committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The unique feat, highlighted in the latest edition of The Parliamentarian Magazine, underscores Senator Barau’s decades-long contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s budgeting and appropriation process.
Senator Barau first chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations between 1999 and 2003, at the beginning of the Fourth Republic when Nigeria’s parliamentary budget process was still evolving after years of military rule.
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Drawing from his professional background in accounting and financial management, he introduced technical reforms that enhanced transparency, accountability, and efficiency in legislative budget scrutiny.
His outstanding performance earned national recognition, leading then-President Olusegun Obasanjo to appoint him to a presidential committee tasked with reviewing Nigeria’s budget process—an acknowledgement of his expertise in public finance and fiscal management.
Two decades later, Senator Barau once again took charge of the nation’s budget process when he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations from 2019 to 2023, making him the only legislator in Nigeria’s history to lead the Appropriations Committees in both chambers of the National Assembly.
His extensive experience came to the fore during the Senate’s consideration of the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Appropriation Bill, where he described the budget as “top-notch” and reaffirmed his authority on budgeting based on his unparalleled legislative experience.
“I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country to have served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I am an authority in this regard,” Senator Barau stated during the debate.
He also commended the FCT Minister for presenting what he described as a well-structured budget with a strong emphasis on capital expenditure, noting that the allocation would accelerate infrastructure development and further transform Abuja into a world-class capital city.
Reacting to his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, praised Senator Barau’s deep knowledge of public finance, describing him as a valuable asset to Nigeria’s legislature.
The Parliamentarian Magazine noted that the Appropriations Committee remains one of the most strategic committees in the National Assembly, responsible for scrutinising government spending, reviewing budget estimates, eliminating duplication, and ensuring that public funds are aligned with national development priorities.
According to the publication, Senator Barau’s rare achievement reflects his expertise, integrity, and exceptional understanding of fiscal policy, qualities that have distinguished him as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished legislators.
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