The National Assembly is set to pass the N58.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill this week, marking a decisive shift in Nigeria’s fiscal management. The move coincides with the official termination of the extended 2024 and 2025 capital budget implementations, which are slated to end today, March 31, 2026.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed the Appropriations Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to expedite the submission of their reports. The goal is to ensure the budget is considered and passed before lawmakers adjourn for the Easter break.
A key feature of the 2026 fiscal cycle is the return to a strict, single-year revenue and expenditure pattern. This aligns with the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity” presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to end the practice of running multiple budgets concurrently.
“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,” Senate President Akpabio stated prior to the recent short break. “We must not allow avoidable delays to derail the timely passage of this critical national document.”
Sources within the National Assembly indicate that lawmakers are particularly motivated to finalize the bill this week to turn their attention to re-election consultations and campaigns, following the timetable recently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“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,” a Senate source noted. “It is very likely that the reports would be considered and passed by both chambers this week.”
The passage of this bill is expected to provide the executive branch with the necessary legal framework to begin full implementation of the 2026 projects by April 1, ensuring a seamless transition and sustained economic momentum.
