Barring any last-minute changes, the National Assembly is expected to pass the N58.472 trillion 2026 Appropriations Bill this week.
Funding of the extended 2024 and 2025 appropriation acts capital implementation rolled over, will terminate today.
The extension of the implementation was approved by both chambers in December.
Sources told The Nation yesterday that the report on the 2026 Appropriation Bill will be laid by the Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives today, the date members are to reconvene after a short break.
The sources said the budget report would be considered by the two chambers separately and passed during plenary or tomorrow, before the end of the week before lawmakers would adjourn for Easter break.
One of the sources said lawmakers are eager to okay the budget to give them the time to concentrate on their re-election consultations and campaigns in view of the electoral timetable published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Senate had, shortly before adjourning plenary two weeks ago, shifted its resumption to today, thereby slowing down legislative work on the budget, which was initially planned to be finalised shortly after the break.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio had, before the adjournment, urged the Senate Committee on Appropriation to ensure that its report on the budget was concluded in time for consideration and passage upon resumption.
Akpabio had said: “I urge the Committee on Appropriations to expedite work on the 2026 budget and ensure that its report is ready for consideration immediately upon resumption. We must not allow avoidable delays to derail the timely passage of this critical national document.’’
One of the sources in the Senate said he was aware that the ‘’lawmakers are eager to consider and pass the budget in view of ongoing electioneering activities.’’
He said: “I am aware that the Appropriations Committee has been working to ensure that the report of the 2026 Appropriations Bill is ready for presentation this week in line with the directive of the Senate President.
“It is very likely that the reports would be considered and passed by both chambers this week before the Senate adjourns for the Easter break.’’
Efforts to reach the spokesmen of both chambers, Yemi Adaramodu(Senate) and Akin Rotimi (House of Representatives) were not successful.
