Senate Fixes March 17 for Passage of 2026 Budget

The senate, through its committee on appropriations, has tentatively fixed March 17 for the final consideration and passage of the N58.47 trillion 2026 budget.

The decision was taken at a special session of the committee held on Friday.

The committee fixed February 2 to 13 for the consideration of budget estimates at the committee level.

For an inclusive process, the committee also fixed February 9 for a public hearing on the budget proposal.

Solomon Adeola, chairman of the committee and senator representing Ogun west, said Wasiu Adeoye, a professor of economics at the University of Lagos, will make a powerpoint presentation at the public hearing.

Adeola said March 5 has been fixed for an interactive session between committee members and economic managers of the federal government.

He said the session will involve Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, and Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and national planning, among others.

Adeola said February 16 to 23 has been fixed for the submission of reports on budget defence by chairmen of standing committees.

He said the reports will be harmonised and presented to the senate on March 17.

Adeola said the senate leadership initially wanted the budget passed by March 12, but agreed to extend the timeline by one week.

He said hard copies of the 2026 budget have been printed and distributed to chairmen and members of standing committees for detailed scrutiny.

The committee adopted the timetable following a motion moved by Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, and seconded by Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north.

On December 19, President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 federal budget themed ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ to the national assembly.

The president said the 2026 budget reflects the administration’s determination to lock in macroeconomic stability, deepen competitiveness, and ensure growth benefits all Nigerians.