The Senate has passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), approving a total expenditure of N2.285 trillion for the administration and development of Abuja and its satellite towns.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the FCT during plenary on Thursday.
The report was presented by Senator Austin Akobundu, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Ibrahim Bomai.
Presenting the report, Akobundu said the joint committees recommended a total budget of N2.285 trillion based on a projected revenue estimate of N2.385 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year.
He explained that N165.7 billion was earmarked for personnel costs, while N378.2 billion was allocated for overhead expenditure.
According to him, the largest share of the budget, amounting to N1.741 trillion, was dedicated to capital projects aimed at improving infrastructure and development across the Federal Capital Territory.
Akobundu noted that the budget structure reflected a strong focus on capital development, with 76.19 per cent allocated to capital expenditure, while recurrent spending accounted for 23.8 per cent.
He added that the budget proposal complied with constitutional provisions and emerged after extensive engagements between the joint committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter,” he said.
Several lawmakers who contributed during debate on the report described the budget as balanced and capable of accelerating infrastructural development, improving security and expanding public services within the nation’s capital.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, commended the quality of the budget and praised the leadership of the FCT Administration.
“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 appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate.
“So when I see a good budget I know it’s a good budget. It is a budget that’s top notch. We have to commend the FCT minister for doing a very good job,” he said.
Jibrin particularly applauded the heavy allocation to capital projects, describing it as evidence of commitment to infrastructural transformation in the territory.
“A budget that you have a total of N2.2 trillion and out of this, N1.7 trillion is going for capital.
“It shows his willingness and determination to continue to show FCT to the admiration of all,” he added.
Also speaking during deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi described the appropriation proposal as comprehensive and well-structured.
He said the budget reflected many of the observations and recommendations previously raised by the Senate Committee on the FCT during earlier budget engagements.
The Senate subsequently passed the bill after deliberations at the Committee of the Whole.
