The Federal House of Representatives has dismissed the allegation that lawmakers in the National Assembly are demanding bribes from vice-chancellors of federal universities to approve their 2025 budget allocations.

In a statement on Wednesday, the lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and accountability, adding that they follow the highest ethical standards in all their legislative activities.

According to them, the allegation appears to be part of a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the House and erode public trust in this hallowed institution.

"The budget process is a constitutionally guided and transparent exercise. The 2025 Appropriation Bill was presented by H.E, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to a Joint Session of the National Assembly, attended by key members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the public.

"Following the presentation, various Heads of Ministries, Depts, and Agencies have been appearing at open and public sessions to defend their budget proposals before the relevant committees. These sessions ensure rigorous scrutiny and accountability in public finance management," they said.

The lawmakers expressed concern that some heads of federal tertiary institutions have failed to appear for these Budget Defence Sessions, despite their constitutional obligation to do so.

"This disregard for the legislative process not only impedes legislative oversight and undermines the principles of accountability, but demonstrates disregard for the parliament, and the Nigerian people.

"Furthermore, it is a matter of public record that some of these tertiary institutions have pending audit queries from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and have consistently failed to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts to clarify these issues.

"This evasion raises questions about their governance practices and financial stewardship.

"This is in addition to disturbing allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office and high handedness in their dealings with staff and students, for which legislative oversight provides a crucial platform to address in the spirit of transparency, they said.

The also noted that recent oversight visits by the House Committee on University Education have revealed troubling governance practices in certain institutions.

They said, "While the final report is being compiled, preliminary findings in certain institutions suggest a pattern of serious malfeasance that demand thorough investigation.

"These engagements provide an opportunity for institutions to demonstrate accountability, yet some individuals have chosen to deflect with unfounded accusations and blackmail."