The Senate on Friday set March 17 for the final consideration and passage of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 federal budget, following a special meeting of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Under the approved timetable, budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies will take place at the committee level from Feb. 2 to Feb. 13. A public hearing on the budget proposal is scheduled for Feb. 9 to allow stakeholder input.
Sen. Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), chairman of the committee, said Professor Wasiu Adeoye of the University of Lagos will present an economic analysis of the budget at the public hearing.
Adeola also announced an interactive session between committee members and federal government economic managers on March 5. Expected participants include Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, and other senior officials.
Reports on budget defence by Senate standing committees are to be submitted between Feb. 16 and Feb. 23. The reports will then be harmonised and presented to the full Senate on March 17.
Senate leadership had initially proposed March 12 for the budget’s passage but extended the deadline by one week to allow for thorough scrutiny of the estimates. Adeola added that printed copies of the 2026 budget have been distributed to chairmen and members of standing committees to aid detailed examination.
The timetable was adopted following a motion moved by Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and seconded by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).
President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly on Dec. 19. Titled “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” the proposal reflects the administration’s commitment to sustaining macroeconomic stability, boosting competitiveness and delivering inclusive growth for Nigerians.
