The Nigerian Senate has scheduled March 17, 2026, as the target date for the final approval of the ₦58.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, putting in place a series of steps to ensure thorough scrutiny before passage.
Gatekeepers News reports that at a special session of the Senate Committee on Appropriations in Abuja on Friday, lawmakers agreed that a detailed review of the budget estimates will take place between February 2 and February 13, 2026, when ministries, departments, and agencies will defend their proposals before the committee.
To allow broader participation in the process, the committee also fixed February 9, 2026, for a public hearing on the budget proposal, during which Professor Wasiu Adeoye, an economics expert from the University of Lagos, is expected to make a PowerPoint presentation explaining the macroeconomic framework and assumptions behind the budget.
In addition, an interactive session between senators on the committee and key federal economic managers has been set for March 5, 2026. Among those expected to attend are Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, who will respond to lawmakers’ questions on implementation priorities.
Reports from budget defence sessions by various standing committees are to be submitted between February 16 and February 23, before being harmonised and presented to the Senate ahead of the planned passage.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who leads the Appropriations Committee, said the Senate leadership initially wanted the budget completed by March 12, but agreed to extend the deadline by one week to allow for meticulous examination of the estimates.
Hard copies of the 2026 budget have already been printed and distributed to senators for detailed review ahead of the key dates.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the proposed budget to the National Assembly in December 2025 under the theme “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” highlighting the administration’s focus on macroeconomic stability, competitiveness, and inclusive growth.
This timetable reflects a multi-layered legislative process, including committee-level scrutiny, public input, and executive engagement, aimed at delivering a comprehensive and implementable budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
