Politics
BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes N2.2trn FCT Budget For 2026
The Senate on Thursday passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, approving total expenditure of N2.285 trillion for the administration and development of the nation’s capital.
The passage followed the presentation and consideration of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Federal Capital Territory during plenary in Abuja.
The report was presented by Austin Akobundu, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, on behalf of Committee Chairman Ibrahim Bomai.
Presenting the report, Akobundu said the committees recommended N2.285 trillion as the FCT statutory budget for 2026 from a projected revenue estimate of N2.385 trillion.
He explained that the budget included N165.7 billion for personnel costs, N378.2 billion for overhead expenditure, while N1.741 trillion was allocated to capital projects across the territory.
According to him, the budget structure showed that 76.19 per cent of the total allocation would be devoted to capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure accounted for 23.8 per cent.
Akobundu said the appropriation complied with constitutional provisions and followed extensive consultations between the joint committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA.
“The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter,” he said.
Lawmakers who contributed during the debate described the budget as balanced, development-oriented, and capable of accelerating infrastructure growth and security improvements within Abuja and surrounding satellite communities.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, commended the budget, describing it as “top notch” and reflective of strong commitment toward infrastructural transformation in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Mr President the budget is top notch. You know, I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country that had the opportunity to serve as chairman appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate.
“So when I see a good budget I know it’s a good budget. It is a budget that’s top notch. We have to commend the FCT minister for doing a very good job.
“A budget that you have a total of N2.2 trillion and out of this, N1.7 trillion is going for capital.
“It shows his willingness and determination to continue to show FCT to the admiration of all,” he said.
Also contributing, Abdul Ningi described the budget as well-packaged and balanced, considering observations earlier raised by the Senate Committee on the FCT during previous budget reviews.
Breaking News
Breaking News: Senate Condemns Attacks on Nigerians, Seeks Guarantees From South Africa
The Senate has warned that Nigeria may review its diplomatic relationship with South Africa if renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians continue.
The warning followed a motion moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong over an alleged June 30, 2026, ultimatum issued to Nigerians living in South Africa.
Lawmakers described the development as a serious threat to the safety and livelihoods of Nigerians in the country.
During Tuesday’s plenary, senators condemned the reported attacks on Nigerians and their businesses and urged the Federal Government to seek firm guarantees from the South African authorities for the protection of Nigerian citizens.
Senator Salihu Mustapha called for a stronger response, saying Nigeria should no longer remain silent while its citizens were being attacked.
“We cannot continue to fold our arms while Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted.”
He added: “This is the starting point for a very robust engagement. I suggest we sever all diplomatic relations with South Africa.”
However, former Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi advised against taking immediate drastic action. He argued that the attacks could be linked to efforts to destabilise South Africa’s government rather than being isolated incidents.
According to him, “this is a coordinated effort to destabilise the government of South Africa and to remove the ruling party, the ANC, from office.”
He also urged Nigeria to “tread with great caution” while considering the situation.
After deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the safety of Nigerians. It also demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
Lawmakers further instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian High Commission to document all cases involving Nigerians who were killed, injured, displaced, unlawfully detained or whose properties were destroyed, with the aim of seeking compensation.
The Senate also called on the Federal Government to work with the African Union and other affected African countries to establish an early warning system and accountability mechanism to prevent future xenophobic attacks.
In addition, the Senate directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs to review the implementation of its earlier resolutions on xenophobic attacks and report back within two legislative weeks.
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