President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to present Nigeria’s 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly today at 2 p.m., following formal communication to the Senate seeking approval for the presentation.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced during plenary that the President proposed the budget presentation to a joint session. Some lawmakers raised concerns that the timing coincides with Muslim prayer hours, prompting Akpabio to commit to consulting the President on potential adjustments.
Tinubu’s 2025 budget, presented last December, amounted to ₦49.7 trillion, marking an increase of about ₦20 trillion over the 2024 budget. The allocations prioritised defence and security (₦4.91tn), infrastructure (₦4.06tn), health (₦2.4tn), and education (₦3.5tn), underscoring the government’s strategic priorities.
In his address, the President highlighted projections including crude oil production at 2.06 million barrels per day for 2025, reduced importation of finished petroleum products, and increased exportation of refined products—efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic renewal, stating that stimulus measures are yielding results and promising continuity of reforms. “The reforms yielding results, no reversals,” he asserted, signalling a steady policy trajectory.
Addressing national challenges, the President acknowledged corruption and insecurity as existential threats but emphasised their surmountability through collaboration. “The time for lamentation is over. The time to act is now,” Tinubu urged, calling for collective effort in nation-building.
The 2026 budget presentation comes at a pivotal time as Nigeria seeks to balance fiscal growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare amid ongoing economic and security pressures, making it one of the most closely watched budget sessions in recent years.
