President Tinubu Asks Senate To Approve ₦1.78 Trillion Budget For FCT Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has sent a ₦1.78 trillion budget proposal for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate, asking for its approval for the 2025 fiscal year.

In his message to the Senate on Wednesday, Tinubu asked for a speedy review and approval of the bill, stressing that its passage is key to delivering efficient public services to residents in the FCT.

The Senate acted quickly by applying Order 78, which allowed the bill to pass its second reading on the same day it was presented.

However, the fast-tracked process drew criticism from Senator Abdul Ningi, an opposition member, who objected based on Order 77 (3 and 4).

He argued that lawmakers hadn’t received copies of the bill before the discussion began.

Despite the protest, the Senate went ahead with debating the main points of the budget proposal.

While leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the bill aims to approve the withdrawal of ₦1.78 trillion from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund.

The money will cover salaries, running costs, and major projects from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

According to the proposal, ₦150.35 billion is set aside for staff salaries, ₦343.78 billion for overhead expenses, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital projects.

Bamidele said the focus of the budget is to build a responsive and efficient administration by completing key infrastructure and service-related projects in Abuja.

He added that while the budget continues funding for existing projects, it also makes room for starting new ones that are considered essential.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu previously asked for an approval from the Senate to borrow the sum of $800 million.