Akpabio: Senate Set to Pass 2026 Budget on March 31

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said lawmakers will return from the Sallah break and work towards passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill on March 31.

Speaking before the Senate adjourned plenary, Akpabio said standing committees would remain active during the recess, especially on budget defence sessions and consultations with the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

He said the goal is to ensure the Appropriations Committee harmonises its report before plenary resumes, so the budget can be passed without any further delay or another round of concurrence.

Akpabio also stressed the need for the National Assembly leadership to work in step to keep the process smooth. He noted that the House of Representatives had already adjourned to complete its own budget work and is also expected to reconvene on March 31.

Before this latest position, the Senate Committee on Appropriations had tentatively fixed March 17 for the final consideration and passage of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 budget.

To stay on schedule, the committee had earlier approved February 2 to 13 for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to defend their budget estimates before the relevant committees.

The committee also set February 9, 2026, for a public hearing on the proposal as part of efforts to make the process more transparent and inclusive.

President Bola Tinubu presented the ₦58.47 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in December, outlining key priorities around economic stability, infrastructure, security and social investment.

The Senate later gave the bill first and second readings, clearing the way for detailed committee scrutiny.