The Senate has said thay it will pass the 2026 appropriation bill on March 31, as lawmakers intensify work on the proposed national budget submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Gatekeepers News reports that Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the timeline during plenary before the upper chamber adjourned for the Sallah break, noting that committees would continue working on the budget during the recess.
Akpabio said the Senate committee on appropriations is expected to harmonise its report before lawmakers reconvene so the budget can be passed without delay.
“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.
He added that members of the National Assembly would use the break to conclude work on the spending plan and ensure it is ready for approval when lawmakers return.
The Senate President also noted that the House of Representatives has adjourned to focus on the budget process, with both chambers expected to reconvene on March 31 to finalise the legislation.
President Tinubu had earlier presented a N58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in December, outlining key priorities including economic growth, infrastructure development, security and social welfare programmes.
Following its presentation, the Senate passed the appropriation bill through first and second readings, paving the way for detailed scrutiny by committees and budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies.
Lawmakers said the planned March 31 passage is aimed at ensuring timely implementation of the government’s spending plan for the fiscal year.
