Senate passes N2.285tn FCT budget, earmarks 76% for capital projects

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The Senate on Thursday passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory, approving a total expenditure of N2.285tn for the development and administration of the nation’s capital.

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The approval followed the presentation and consideration of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the FCT during plenary.

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The report was presented by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South).

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Presenting the report, Akobundu said the joint committees recommended the sum of N2.285tn as the FCT statutory budget for 2026 from a projected revenue of N2.385tn.

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He explained that the budget proposal contained N165.7bn for personnel costs, N378.2bn for overhead costs, while N1.741tn was allocated to capital expenditure.

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According to him, the structure of the budget indicated a strong focus on infrastructure development and public service delivery, with 76.19 per cent of the total allocation devoted to capital projects, while recurrent expenditure accounted for 23.8 per cent.

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Akobundu said the appropriation process complied with constitutional provisions and emerged after extensive deliberations between the National Assembly committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

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He said, “The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter.”

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The passage of the budget comes amid growing demands for improved infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, security and expansion of basic amenities in Abuja and the satellite towns, many of which have witnessed rapid population growth in recent years.

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Lawmakers who contributed to the debate commended the fiscal framework of the budget, describing it as balanced and development-oriented.

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, praised the spending plan, saying it demonstrated a strong commitment to infrastructural renewal in the FCT.

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He said, “Mr President the budget is top notch. You know, I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country that had the opportunity to serve as chairman appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate.

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“So when I see a good budget, I know it’s a good budget. It is a budget that’s top-notch. We have to commend the FCT minister for doing a very very good job.

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“A budget that you have a total of N2.2tn and out of this, N1.7tn is going for capital. It shows his willingness and determination to continue to show FCT to the admiration of all.”

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Also speaking, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) described the appropriation as well-structured and responsive to concerns previously raised by lawmakers during oversight engagements with the FCTA.

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Ningi said the budget was well-packaged and well-balanced considering the observations made by the Senate Committee on the FCT last year.

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The Senate thereafter passed the bill through third reading, paving the way for its transmission for presidential assent.

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