The Senate has approved the second reading of the ₦1.783 trillion Federal Capital Territory (FCT) statutory budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier submitted the appropriation bill in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging lawmakers to ensure its swift passage to enable the continuation of critical development projects within Abuja.
In the letter, which was read aloud by Akpabio, President Tinubu noted that the proposal aligns with Section 299 of the Constitution, which grants the President authority to present the FCT budget to the National Assembly.
Tinubu stressed the importance of the budget in supporting key areas such as healthcare, agriculture, employment, and social welfare, calling on lawmakers to act quickly in the interest of FCT residents.
“The passage of the budget would facilitate investment in health and social welfare, increase agricultural production, and improve job creation.
“I urge the National Assembly to give this budget the urgent attention it deserves, in the interest of accelerating development within the FCT,” he added.
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Following the reading of the President’s letter, the appropriation bill was introduced and immediately progressed to the second reading stage.
The proposed budget includes ₦150.35 billion for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.29 trillion dedicated to capital projects. According to Tinubu, 85% of the entire budget is earmarked for ongoing infrastructural projects, while the remaining 15% will support new initiatives.
To fast-track consideration, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) invoked a motion to suspend Standing Order 78(1), enabling the bill to advance on the same day it was introduced.
However, the move met resistance from Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who argued that Senators had not been provided with copies of the bill in advance, citing Order 77 (3 and 4) of the Senate rules.
Despite the objections, the Senate went ahead to debate the bill’s general principles.
In leading the discussion, Senator Bamidele explained that the budget aims to authorise the release of ₦1.783 trillion from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to cover personnel, overhead, and capital expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2025.
He pointed out that the core focus of the appropriation is to deliver a responsive and efficient administration in the FCT, with special emphasis on completing ongoing infrastructure projects and launching essential new ones to promote development across the capital.
The bill has now been forwarded to the Senate Committees on FCT, Area Councils, and Auxiliary Matters for further scrutiny, with a report expected within one week.
