Senate Targets March 31 Passage Of N58.47trn 2026 Budget — Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the Senate will pass the 2026 Appropriation Bill on March 31, as lawmakers intensify work on the N58.47 trillion budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio disclosed this during plenary before the upper chamber proceeded on the Sallah recess, noting that Senate committees would continue budget defence sessions during the break to ensure timely completion of legislative work.

According to him, the Senate leadership is determined to ensure that the Committee on Appropriations harmonises its report before lawmakers resume sitting.

He said: “I expect the Leader of the Senate to work closely with the Committee on Appropriations so that by the time we reconvene, the report will be ready for passage without further delay or harmonisation.”

The Senate President stressed that cooperation among principal officers and committees was necessary to meet the target date, adding that the process must be concluded in line with legislative expectations.

He further observed that the House of Representatives had also adjourned to allow committees conclude budget-related engagements before both chambers reconvene on March 31.

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Appropriations fixed March 17 for final consideration of the 2026 budget, after setting timelines for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to defend their proposals.

President Tinubu had presented the N58.47 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in December, with emphasis on economic stability, infrastructure development, security and social investment.

The Senate subsequently passed the bill for first and second readings, paving the way for committee scrutiny ahead of final passage.