The Senate on Wednesday approved the second reading of the ₦1.783 trillion statutory budget proposal for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the 2025 fiscal year.

The budget, formally submitted by President Bola Tinubu in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeks to fast-track essential development projects across the FCT.

In the letter, read by Akpabio during plenary, Tinubu noted that the proposal was in line with Section 299 of the Nigerian Constitution, which authorises the President to present the FCT’s budget to the National Assembly.

He stressed that the appropriation is aimed at strengthening critical sectors such as healthcare, social services, agriculture, and job creation, adding that its swift passage is vital for a responsive and impactful administration in the FCT.

President Tinubu stated that 85% of the proposed ₦1.783 trillion budget would be allocated to the completion of ongoing infrastructure and development projects, while the remaining 15% would be dedicated to launching new initiatives.

President Tinubu stated that 85% of the proposed ₦1.783 trillion budget would be allocated to the completion of ongoing infrastructure and development projects, while the remaining 15% would be dedicated to launching new initiatives.

Shortly after the letter was read during plenary, the FCT budget underwent its first reading and was promptly introduced for a second reading. 

The proposed FCT 2025 budget includes ₦150.35 billion for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital projects. To fast-track the process, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved for the suspension of Senate Standing Order 78(1), enabling the bill to advance to a second reading on the same day it was introduced.

However, this accelerated move faced resistance from Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who objected based on the lack of prior distribution of the bill to lawmakers, referencing Order 77 (3 and 4) of Senate rules.

Despite these concerns, the Senate debated the general principles of the ₦1.783 trillion FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year.

During the debate, Bamidele explained that the bill seeks approval to draw ₦1.783 trillion from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to cover personnel, overhead, and capital expenditure from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

He highlighted the budget’s primary goal as supporting a service-driven administration focused on completing critical infrastructure and essential service projects within the FCT, while also introducing new initiatives to drive sustainable development.

The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committees on FCT, Area Councils, and Auxiliary Matters for further legislative scrutiny, with a report due back within a week.