The Federal Capital Territory's 2025 budget proposal of N1.783 trillion successfully passed through first and second readings in the Senate on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward funding the capital city's development agenda.

Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele presented the budget, which covers both capital and recurrent expenditure proposals with detailed sectoral allocations. The Senate, which serves as the legislative authority for the FCT, moved quickly to advance the appropriation process.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for the second reading immediately after the first, citing "urgency of time" despite objections from Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central Senatorial District. Ningi had raised concerns that copies of the budget proposal were only just distributed to senators, contrary to provisions requiring prior notice and adequate time for review.

During the debate, Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central highlighted the infrastructure challenges facing the FCT due to population growth. "The original master plan of the FCT was supposed to accommodate 750,000 people, but unfortunately every citizen has the right to live and work in the FCT and nobody can oppose their living in the FCT," he noted.

In a notable moment during the session, Senator Ningi, despite his earlier procedural objections, praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his infrastructure development initiatives. Adding a political dimension to his comments, Ningi remarked, "Mr Senate President, our party, PDP is a development driven party and you can see that Nyesom Wike who is a PDP man is doing well in terms of infrastructure. Remember that you were a product of PDP and since APC took over, development has slowed down."

Other senators also expressed support for the budget proposal, commending Minister Wike's commitment to developing the Federal Capital Territory.

Senate President Akpabio, after a voice vote, referred the proposal to the Senate Committee on FCT with instructions to report back within one week. He expressed confidence that approving the budget would strengthen the Minister's development efforts in the territory.

The expedited passage of the FCT budget through its second reading signals the Senate's recognition of the urgent infrastructure needs of Nigeria's capital city, which continues to face challenges from rapid urbanization and population growth.