Senate passes N2.28trn 2026 FCT budget
The Senate on Thursday passed N2.285 trillion as the 2026 budget for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT). The upper chamber increased the budget by N84 billion, bringing it to
The Senate on Thursday passed N2.285 trillion as the 2026 budget for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT).
The upper chamber increased the budget by N84 billion, bringing it to N2.201 trillion, from the initial N2.201 trillion proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March.
Of the total amount, N165.775 billion was allocated to personnel costs, N378.231 billion to overhead costs, and N1.741 trillion to capital projects.
Senators approved the appropriation Bill without the required sources of revenue profile to fund the budget, which is expected to run from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
Some senators, however, raised concerns over the omission during deliberations.
The Senate approved the budget after considering a report presented by Senator Austin Akobondu, representing Abia Central, on behalf of the Senate Committee on the FCT.
Akobondu, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the committee held meetings with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other relevant officials, during which they agreed on the budget modalities.
In the breakdown, capital expenditure accounts for the largest share of the budget at 76.19 per cent, followed by overhead costs at 16.55 per cent, and personnel costs at 7.25 per cent.
The budget was approved at the Committee of Supply, where most senators endorsed it through voice votes.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the budget's passage after a majority of lawmakers supported it.
The senator representing Lagos East, Adetokunbo Abiru, queried the absence of the revenue profile in the budget.
Abiru, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, however, later commended the FCT minister for his performance.
Also, Niger East Senator, Sani Musa, said the budget would be incomplete without disclosing its revenue sources. Musa chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.
Akpabio agreed with the senators' concerns and directed the committee to ensure that the Senate receives the FCT’s revenue profile, regardless of whether the budget had already been approved.
Some senators, however, praised Wike for ongoing infrastructural development in the FCT.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, commended the minister for infrastructure projects across Abuja, saying the budget reflected Mr Wike’s determination to continue developing the nation’s capital.
Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, also described the budget as balanced.
The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, similarly lauded the minister, saying the budget would further support the development of the Federal Capital Territory.
