National Assembly Okays N2.29tn FCT Budget, Sets 76% for Capital Projects

• The National Assembly has approved a N2.285tn statutory budget for the Federal Capital Territory, with over 76 per cent allocated to capital projects and infrastructure development.

The National Assembly on Thursday passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory, approving a total expenditure of N2.285tn for the administration and development of the nation’s capital.

The approval followed the presentation and adoption of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the FCT during plenary sessions in both chambers.

Presenting the report in the Senate, Senator Austin Akobundu said the joint committees recommended the N2.285tn budget from a projected revenue of N2.385tn.

According to him, the budget includes N165.7bn for personnel costs, N378.2bn for overhead expenditure, and N1.741tn for capital projects. He noted that 76.19 per cent of the total allocation was dedicated to infrastructure and development projects, while recurrent spending accounted for 23.8 per cent.

Akobundu explained that the appropriation process followed constitutional requirements and emerged after extensive consultations with officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

“The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter,” he said.

Lawmakers commended the structure of the budget, describing it as development-driven and balanced. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau praised the spending plan, saying it reflected a strong commitment to infrastructural renewal in Abuja.

“A budget that you have a total of N2.2tn, and out of this, N1.7tn is going for capital, shows willingness and determination to continue to show FCT to the admiration of all,” Barau said.

Senator Abdul Ningi also described the appropriation as well-structured and responsive to concerns previously raised during oversight engagements with the FCTA.

At the House of Representatives, lawmakers equally approved the FCT budget, alongside a N1.75tn budget for the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Chairman of the House Committee on the FCT, Muktar Betara, said the allocation would address personnel obligations, overhead costs, and critical infrastructure projects across Abuja and surrounding communities.

A breakdown of the approved expenditure showed that the FCTA secured N151.44bn for operations, while N6.79bn was allocated to strengthen security services in Abuja and satellite towns.

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The education sector received N162bn for capital projects, engineering services secured the largest allocation of N758.15bn, while the satellite towns development department got N212.74bn.

For the NDDC, lawmakers approved N1.63tn for development projects across the Niger Delta region, alongside allocations for personnel, overhead, and internal capital expenditure.

The passage of the budgets is expected to support infrastructure expansion, security improvements, and development projects in both the FCT and the oil-producing Niger Delta region.