Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central, has said the real value of 2026 budget will be measured by its effect on Nigerians’ lives rather than the size of the figures announced.
Gatekeepers News reports that Natasha remarked on Friday, after President Bola Tinubu presented the N58.18 trillion appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
Reacting to the proposal, the senator said the budget reflects big national ambitions but warned that numbers alone will not resolve Nigeria’s long-standing development problems.
According to her, citizens are more interested in outcomes that improve daily living conditions than record spending totals.
She said, “Of all the lengthy speeches, one line by Mr President struck me deeply. It’s not the size of the budget but the quanta of impact felt by Nigerians.”
The senator said Nigerians expect budgets to translate into better living standards, steady job creation, reliable infrastructure, affordable healthcare, improved education, and accessible social services. She added that public trust depends on how well these expectations are met.
She also stressed that accountability should not rest solely on the government. Natasha said, “Leaders must do better, and citizens must demand accountability.”
As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, the lawmaker said the national assembly will closely examine the budget in the coming weeks, focusing on revenue projections, debt sustainability, sector allocations, and implementation plans.
