The Nigerian Senate has pledged to pass the proposed ₦48.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill on March 31, according to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio gave the assurance in Abuja while addressing lawmakers before the chamber adjourned for the Sallah break, noting that the legislative timetable would allow the upper chamber to conclude work on the budget at the end of the month.
According to him, despite the short recess, Senate standing committees will continue working on budget-related activities, including ongoing defence sessions with government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as coordination with the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
The Senate President expressed confidence that the legislative process would remain on track once plenary resumes.
“I hope the Leader of the Senate will keep his date with us so that the budget can be passed before March 31,” Akpabio said.
He added that the Senate remains committed to ensuring the timely consideration and passage of the national budget in order to support economic planning and government programmes.
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Akpabio also used the opportunity to highlight the role of the Senate in addressing national issues, describing the legislative chamber as a platform for generating practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
He noted that while debates within the chamber are often intense, the Senate remains focused on producing policies and laws aimed at national development.
“The Senate is a workshop for solutions,” he said, adding that discussions in the chamber are sometimes amplified on social media in ways that may not fully reflect the seriousness of legislative work.
The proposed ₦48.472 trillion budget is expected to fund key government programmes and development projects in the 2026 fiscal year once passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.