President Bola Tinubu has submitted a ₦1.783 trillion statutory appropriation bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate, requesting prompt consideration and passage for the 2025 fiscal year.
In his message to the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday, President Tinubu emphasized the need for speedy action on the bill, stating that its passage was essential to support a functional and service-oriented administration for FCT residents.
In response, the Senate invoked Order 78 to allow the bill to advance to its second reading on the same day it was introduced.
The move, however, was not without objection. Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the opposition, expressed concern over the process, citing Order 77 (3 and 4) and noting that lawmakers had not received copies of the bill before the debate commenced.
Despite this, the Senate proceeded with deliberations on the general principles of the 2025 FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill.
While leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the proposed budget aims to authorize the release of ₦1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to cover personnel, overhead, and capital expenses from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
According to the breakdown, ₦150.35 billion is earmarked for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital development.
Bamidele stressed that the primary aim of the budget is to foster a responsive and sustainable administrative system, particularly by focusing on the completion of ongoing infrastructure and essential service projects in the FCT.
He added that the budget gives priority to ongoing initiatives, while also making room for the introduction of vital new projects.
What you should know
The ₦1.78 trillion FCT budget proposal reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to infrastructure and service delivery in Abuja.
Despite procedural objections from opposition lawmakers, the Senate has begun debate, signaling likely swift approval to ensure continuity of major capital projects and effective governance in the capital.
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