President Bola Tinubu has submitted a ₦1.78 trillion statutory budget proposal for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate, requesting swift approval for the 2025 fiscal year.
In a formal communication to the upper chamber on Wednesday, Tinubu emphasized the urgency of passing the budget to ensure an efficient, service-driven administration for Abuja residents.
The Senate promptly invoked Order 78 to allow the bill to pass second reading on the same day it was introduced. However, the fast-tracked process sparked discontent from the opposition. Senator Abdul Ningi raised procedural concerns under Order 77 (3 and 4), citing that lawmakers were not given copies of the bill prior to the debate.
Despite the protest, the Senate moved forward with discussions on the general principles of the proposed appropriation.
Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined the core allocations: ₦150.35 billion for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overheads, and a major chunk ₦1.29 trillion earmarked for capital projects.
Bamidele stated that the budget aims to strengthen infrastructure and enhance essential public services, with a focus on completing critical ongoing projects across the FCT.
