Jimoh Sets Accountability Agenda for UN Budget Committee

By Atlantic Reports

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim Jimoh, says his chairmanship of the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee will focus on reducing waste, strengthening accountability and securing timely budget approval.

Speaking after Secretary-General António Guterres presented the proposed 2027 programme budget in New York, Jimoh described the appointment as Nigeria’s first leadership of the committee since joining the UN.

“This is the first time in 66 years that Nigeria is chairing the budget and administrative committee of the United Nations,” he said.

The Fifth Committee examines administrative and financial matters and recommends decisions to the General Assembly, which retains final authority over the UN budget.

Scrutiny of Spending and Credits

“The current budget process prioritises reducing waste and ensuring accountability,” Jimoh said.

He emphasised proper accounting for money already spent and scrutiny of credits due to member states, including funds that should be returned or credited to contributing countries.

Jimoh put the organisation’s available cash balance at approximately $501 million. The supplied account did not specify the date of that balance or which accounts it covered.

He also cited a proposed regular programme budget of about $3.3 billion and estimated peacekeeping expenditure of $8.6 billion. These are distinct budget components and should not be treated as a single spending proposal without clarification of their respective periods and scope.

Infrastructure and Development Financing

Jimoh identified a UN infrastructure project in Nairobi, Kenya, valued at approximately $68 million, among matters requiring attention.

He said the committee would also consider financing arrangements for the Resident Coordinator System and programmes supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

The account did not detail the Nairobi project’s delivery stage or the specific funding decisions under consideration.

Earlier Documents to Support Negotiations

Jimoh said early submission of budget documents was an achievement of his chairmanship, attributing it to his insistence that the Secretariat provide the necessary material before deliberations proceeded.

He argued that timely reports could reduce prolonged negotiations and help avoid a year-end rush to approve the budget.

The supplied account did not identify the documents concerned or compare their submission dates with previous sessions. His assessment therefore remains an attributed account of progress.

Jimoh pledged measurable improvements in financial administration. Their delivery will depend on the committee’s scrutiny, agreement among member states and the decisions ultimately adopted by the General Assembly.

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