The Senate has passed the N1.78 trillion statutory appropriation bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the 2025 financial year through second reading.

 

The development followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu, who transmitted the budget proposal to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging swift legislative action to enable key development initiatives in the capital.

 

“In compliance with section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby lay before the National Assembly the 2025 FCT budget proposal for consideration,” Tinubu wrote. “The passage of the budget would facilitate investment in health and social welfare, increase agricultural production, and improve job creation. I urge the National Assembly to give this budget the urgent attention it deserves, in the interest of accelerating development within the FCT.”

 

In a rare move, the budget was read for the first and second time on the same day during plenary, enabled by a motion from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. He sought the suspension of Senate Standing Order 78(1), which typically bars a second reading on the day a bill is introduced.

 

The motion, however, met resistance from Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, who cited Senate Rules 77(3) and 77(4) and argued that the budget document had not been circulated to members prior to the debate. Despite his objection, the Senate proceeded to deliberate on the bill’s general principles.

 

The proposed budget outlines N150.35 billion for personnel costs, N343.78 billion for overhead, and N1.29 trillion earmarked for capital expenditure. In leading the debate, Bamidele stated that the bill authorises the withdrawal of N1.783 trillion from the FCT Administration’s statutory revenue fund for the 2025 fiscal year, running from January 1 to December 31.

He noted that 85 percent of the capital allocation would be directed toward completing ongoing projects, while 15 percent would go to new developments. “The aim is to deliver an effective, service-oriented administration that prioritises infrastructure and essential services in the FCT,” Bamidele said.

 

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on FCT, which has been mandated to submit its report within one week.