…Allocates 76% To Capital Projects

The Senate, on Thursday, passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and approved a total expenditure of N2.285 trillion for the administration and development of Abuja.

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

The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Austin Akobundu, presented the report on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Bomai.

While presenting the budget for consideration, Akobundu said that it was based on a projected revenue estimate of N2.385 trillion as it allocates N165.7 billion to personnel costs, N378.2 billion to overhead expenditure, and N1.741 trillion to capital projects across the territory.

He noted that 76.19 per cent of the total allocation is devoted to capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure accounts for 23.8 per cent.

According to him, the appropriation complied with constitutional provisions and followed extensive consultations between the joint committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

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

Senators who contributed during the consideration described the budget as balanced and development‑oriented, with the potential to accelerate infrastructure growth and improve security in Abuja and its satellite communities.

Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, commended the proposal, calling it “top-notch” and reflective of a strong commitment to infrastructural transformation in the FCT.

“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 of the appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate. So when I see a good budget I know it’s a good budget.

“A budget that has a total of N2.2 trillion and out of this, N1.7 trillion is going for capital shows his willingness and determination to continue to position FCT to the admiration of all,” he said.

Also contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi, also described the budget as well‑packaged and balanced, noting that it addressed observations raised by the Senate Committee on the FCT during earlier budget reviews.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the Committee for a job well done and urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, not to relent in the development of the Territory.