Lawmakers in the Senate chamber approved a N2.285 trillion spending plan for the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday. The vote came after joint committees presented their harmonised report to the full chamber in Abuja.
Austin Akobundu presented the findings on behalf of his committee chairman, Ibrahim Bomai. Akobundu chairs the Senate panel overseeing FCT budget matters.
According to him, the committees worked from a projected revenue figure of N2.385 trillion. The approved expenditure falls slightly below that projection.
Personnel costs will consume N165.7 billion of the budget. Overhead spending takes another N378.2 billion.
Capital projects across the territory will receive the lion's share: N1.741 trillion. This means more than three-quarters of total spending targets development work.
Capital expenditure accounts for 76.19 per cent of allocations. Recurrent spending makes up the remaining 23.8 per cent.
Akobundu stressed the budget aligns with constitutional requirements. He noted that extensive talks with Federal Capital Territory Administration officials preceded the final figures.
"The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter," he told reporters.
Senate members who spoke during debate praised the spending blueprint. They called it balanced, development-focused, and capable of spurring infrastructure growth.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin went further with his endorsement. "The budget is top notch," he declared from the chamber floor.
Jibrin noted his unique experience chairing appropriation committees in both houses of the National Assembly. He said his background gives him credibility to judge budget quality.
"When I see a good budget I know it's a good budget," Jibrin remarked. "We have to commend the FCT minister for doing a very good job."
He highlighted the capital spending breakdown as particularly impressive. Nearly N1.7 trillion going to capital projects demonstrates serious commitment, in his view.
"It shows his willingness and determination to continue to show FCT to the admiration of all," the deputy senate president added.
Senator Abdul Ningi also weighed in with support for the proposal. He described it as well-structured and properly balanced given prior committee observations.
The spending plan now moves forward for implementation by FCT authorities. Officials will begin executing projects outlined in the 2026 budget.
