By Ahmed Akanbi

The Senate on Thursday passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory, approving N2.285 trillion for the administration and development of Abuja.

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

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

Akobundu said the budget is based on a projected revenue of N2.385 trillion, with N165.7 billion allocated to personnel costs, N378.2 billion to overhead expenditure, and N1.741 trillion to capital projects across the territory.

The lawmaker further disclosed that capital expenditure accounts for 76.19 per cent of the total allocation, while recurrent expenditure makes up 23.8 per cent.

He added that 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.

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

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended the proposal as “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 both the House and 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 the minister’s willingness and determination to continue to position FCT to the admiration of all,” Barau said.

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

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the committee for its work and urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike not to relent in developing the territory.