By Adenike Lawal
The Senate on Wednesday advanced the ₦1.78 trillion 2025 budget proposal for the Federal Capital Territory to committee stage, marking a major step in the push for renewed development across Abuja.
Presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the budget was accompanied by a call for swift approval to drive critical infrastructure, improve healthcare, boost agriculture, and generate jobs in the nation’s capital.
The President, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stressed the need to sustain momentum on existing projects, with 85 percent of the funds earmarked for their completion.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged the chamber to bypass the usual legislative process by suspending Standing Order 78 to fast-track the bill. Although Senator Abdul Ningi challenged the move on grounds that lawmakers had not received physical copies of the proposal, the debate went ahead following Akpabio’s clarification that distribution was ongoing.
Bamidele explained that the bill seeks to authorize ₦1.783 trillion from the FCT Statutory Revenue Fund, with ₦1.29 trillion allocated for capital projects. Personnel and overhead costs account for ₦150 billion and ₦343 billion respectively.
Lawmakers across party lines praised the capital-intensive direction of the budget.
Senator Mohammed Monguno called it a decisive shift away from the culture of abandoned projects, while Senator Ashiru Yisa said the infrastructure focus signals true developmental intent.
Senator Peter Nwebonyi raised concerns about the poor appearance of areas around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, prompting a sharp response from Akpabio, who warned against development narratives that threaten vulnerable communities.
The proposal has now been forwarded to the Senate Committees on FCT and Area Councils for review. A report is expected within a week.
