The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday moved forward with a proposed ₦1.783 trillion budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the 2025 financial year, passing it for second reading.
President Bola Tinubu formally submitted the budget proposal to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting expedited passage to support vital development projects within the FCT.
In his letter, Tinubu highlighted that this budget presentation aligns with the Nigerian Constitution, granting the President the authority to present the FCT’s budget to the National Assembly.
The President stressed that the proposed budget aims to boost key sectors like health, social welfare, agriculture, and employment, emphasising that its approval is essential for delivering effective governance and services to FCT residents.
Tinubu outlined that 85% of the total budget would be dedicated to completing ongoing infrastructure and development projects, while the remaining 15% would fund new initiatives.
He urged the National Assembly to prioritise the budget’s passage to accelerate development within the FCT, noting its role in facilitating investment in health and social welfare, increasing agricultural output, and improving job creation.
Following the reading of the President’s letter, the FCT budget underwent its first reading and was immediately presented for the second reading.
The proposed budget allocates N150.35 billion for personnel costs, N343.78 billion for overhead expenses, and N1.29 trillion for capital projects.
To expedite the process, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele proposed suspending a Senate rule to allow the bill to pass the second reading on the same day.
However, Senator Abdul Ningi opposed this, citing concerns about senators not having received copies of the bill beforehand, as stipulated by Senate rules.
Despite the objection, the Senate proceeded to debate the general principles of the FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill for 2025.
Senator Bamidele explained that the bill seeks authorisation for the issuance of ₦1.783 trillion from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to finance personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Bamidele emphasised that the budget’s main goal is to ensure effective, service-oriented governance with a strong focus on completing crucial ongoing infrastructure and essential services projects in Abuja while also introducing new initiatives vital for the FCT’s growth and sustainability.
Ultimately, the bill was referred to the Senate Committees on FCT, Area Councils, and Auxiliary Matters for further review, with a report expected back within one week.
