By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
Abuja
The Senate Committee on Appropriations has fixed March 17, 2026, for the final consideration and passage of the N58.472 trillion 2026 budget. To meet this deadline, the committee has scheduled a series of activities, including consideration of budget estimates at the committee level from February 2 to 13, 2026.
A public hearing on the budget proposal is set for February 9, 2026, where Professor Wasiu Adeoye, an economics expert from the University of Lagos, will make a presentation. The committee has also invited economic managers, including Minister of Finance Wale Edun and Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator Atiku Bagudu, for an interactive session on March 5, 2026.
The Senate initially wanted the budget passed by March 12, 2026, but Chairman Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola convinced the leadership to grant an additional week. Hard copies of the 2026 budget have been printed for committee chairmen and members to facilitate scrutiny.
The committee’s timetable was adopted after a motion by Senator Adamu Aliero and seconded by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. The schedule includes submission of reports on budget defence by committee chairmen from February 16 to 23, 2026, and presentation of reports to the Senate on March 17, 2026.
