Senate Fixes Date for Passage of ₦48.47 Trillion Budget

The Senate Committee on Appropriations has tentatively fixed Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for the final consideration and passage of the ₦48.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, disclosed this after attending a meeting of the Appropriations Committee presided over by its Chairman, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West).

According to the adopted timetable, February 2 to 13, 2026, has been set aside for the consideration of budget estimates at the committee level, while a public hearing on the 2026 budget proposal will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, as part of efforts to ensure an inclusive and transparent process.

The Committee also agreed that Thursday, March 5, 2026, will be dedicated to an interactive session between members of the Appropriations Committee and key economic managers of the Federal Government. Expected at the session are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; and other top officials.

Submission of reports on budget defence by various Senate committees is scheduled for February 16 to 23, 2026, ahead of the presentation of the consolidated report to the Senate on March 17.

Senator Adeola informed members that although the Senate leadership initially aimed to pass the budget by March 12, 2026, an additional week was approved to allow for more detailed scrutiny of the estimates.

To facilitate the process, hard copies of the 2026 budget have been printed and distributed to chairmen and members of all standing committees.

The timetable was formally adopted following a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and seconded by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).