Senate to pass 2026 budget on March 31 – Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, has assured that the Senate will pass the 2026 Appropriation Bill on March 31, following a brief adjournment for the Sallah break.

Speaking before the Senate adjourned plenary, Akpabio said standing committees would continue working during the recess, particularly on ongoing budget defence sessions and coordination with the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

He said: “I hope the Leader will put pressure on the Committee on Appropriations to harmonise the report of the 2026 Appropriation Bill by that date.

“This is so that when we resume, we can try our best to pass the budget without requiring further concurrence or harmonisation.

“Leadership must work together to ensure everything is in order. The House of Representatives has already adjourned to conclude budget processes and will also reconvene on March 31.

“On that day, we hope to pass the national budget in tandem with the Senate.”

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Appropriations had tentatively fixed Tuesday, March 17, for the final consideration and passage of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill.

To meet the timeline, the committee, at a special session held in January, approved February 2 to 13 for budget defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the committee level.

As part of efforts to ensure an inclusive and transparent process, the committee also scheduled February 9, 2026, for a public hearing on the budget proposal.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in December, presented the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly, outlining the government’s priorities anchored on economic stability, infrastructure expansion, security and social investment.

Following the presentation, the Senate passed the appropriation bill for first and second readings, paving the way for detailed consideration by relevant committees.