The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the upper legislative chamber is targeting March 31 to pass the 2026 appropriation bill.
Akpabio made the remark during plenary on Thursday before the Senate adjourned for the Eid al-Fitr break.
He noted that Senate committees would continue working during the recess, particularly on budget defence sessions and coordination with the committee on appropriations.
The Senate President urged the leadership of the chamber to ensure that the Senate Committee on Appropriations harmonises its report on the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal ahead of the planned resumption.
“I hope the leader will put pressure on the committee on appropriations to harmonise the report of the 2026 appropriation bill by that date,” Akpabio said, adding that the aim is to enable the Senate to pass the budget without the need for further concurrence or harmonisation.
He stressed that the Senate leadership must work collectively to ensure the budget process is completed within the set timeline.
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Akpabio also noted that the Nigerian House of Representatives had earlier adjourned to conclude its own budget processes and is expected to reconvene on March 31.
The appropriations committee had earlier scheduled March 17 for the final consideration and passage of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 appropriation bill, with February 2 to February 13 set aside for budget defence by ministries, departments and agencies.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, presented the 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in December, stating that it prioritises economic stability, infrastructure development, security, and social investment. The Senate subsequently passed the bill for first and second readings.