The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the ₦1.783 trillion Federal Capital Territory (FCT) statutory appropriation bill for the 2025 fiscal year for second reading, fast-tracking the budget process to support key development initiatives in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu submitted the budget proposal in a formal letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging lawmakers to expedite its passage to facilitate infrastructural development and essential service delivery in the FCT.
Reading the president’s letter on the Senate floor, Tinubu noted that the presentation aligns with Section 299 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the President to lay the FCT’s budget before the National Assembly.
Tinubu stated that 85% of the proposed allocation would fund ongoing capital projects, while 15% would support new developmental initiatives. He emphasized investment in health, social welfare, agriculture, and employment generation as top priorities.
“The passage of the budget would facilitate investment in health and social welfare, increase agricultural production, and improve job creation,” the President said. “I urge the National Assembly to give this budget the urgent attention it deserves.”
The budget proposal was introduced for first reading and advanced to second reading on the same day, following a motion by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who sought a suspension of Senate Standing Order 78(1) to enable the accelerated process.
However, the swift progression drew criticism from Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who objected on procedural grounds, citing Order 77 (3 and 4), which requires Senators to receive bill copies before debate.
Despite Ningi’s concerns, the Senate proceeded with debate. Senator Bamidele, while leading the discussion, explained that the budget is designed to authorize the issuance of ₦1.783 trillion from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund for personnel, overhead, and capital expenses from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
According to the budget breakdown, ₦150.35 billion is earmarked for personnel costs, ₦343.78 billion for overhead, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital projects.
Bamidele stressed that the bill underscores the government’s commitment to completing key infrastructure projects while introducing targeted new initiatives to improve the lives of FCT residents.
The appropriation bill has now been referred to the Senate Committees on FCT, Area Councils, and Auxiliary Matters for further legislative scrutiny. The committee is expected to submit its report within one week.
