The Senate passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory with a total sum of N2.285 trillion expenditure approved for the administration and development of Abuja.
The approval followed consideration and adoption of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the FCT during last week’s plenary.
The report was presented by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Austin Akobundu, on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Ibrahim Bomai.
Akobundu said the budget proposal was based on a projected revenue of N2.385 trillion, with N165.7 billion earmarked for personnel costs, N378.2 billion for overhead expenditure, and N1.741 trillion allocated to capital projects across the territory.
He noted that 76.19 per cent of the total budget was dedicated to capital expenditure, while recurrent spending accounted for 23.8 per cent.
According to him, the appropriation process complied with constitutional requirements and followed extensive engagements between the joint committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter,” he said.
Lawmakers described the budget as development-focused, saying it has the potential to accelerate infrastructure expansion and improve security across Abuja and its satellite communities.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who backed the proposal, described it as “top-notch” and reflective of strong commitment to infrastructural development in the FCT.
“Mr President, the budget is top-notch. You know, I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country that had the opportunity to serve as chairman of the appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate. So when I see a good budget I know it’s a good budget.
“A budget that has a total of N2.2 trillion and out of this, N1.7 trillion is going for capital shows his willingness and determination to continue to position FCT to the admiration of all,” he said.
Senator Abdul Ningi also described the proposal as well-structured and balanced, adding that it addressed concerns raised during earlier committee engagements on the budget.
