President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate's approval for a proposed N1.783 trillion 2025 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The request was communicated to the Senate and read by its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during Wednesday's plenary session. In his letter, President Tinubu emphasized the critical importance of the budget for ensuring effective administration and service delivery to FCT residents.

"Pursuant to section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which vests legislative powers over the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly, I hereby present the 2025 FCT budget proposal to the Senate for consideration," the President stated in his communication.

Tinubu highlighted that the 2025 FCT budget proposal prioritizes investments in healthcare services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services, education infrastructure, and increasing agricultural productivity.

Budget Breakdown and Priorities

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), who led the debate on the bill, provided a detailed breakdown of the budget allocation:

- N150.35 billion for personnel costs
- N343.78 billion for overhead expenses
- N1.29 trillion allocated for capital projects

To sustain ongoing infrastructure development in the FCT, 85 percent of the capital expenditure has been dedicated to completing ongoing projects, while 15 percent is earmarked for new capital initiatives.

Senator Bamidele explained that the primary objective of the budget is to drive an effective and enduring service-oriented administration, with a strong focus on completing ongoing projects that have significant impacts on infrastructure and essential services in Abuja.

Senate's Response

In an unusual move, the Senate invoked Order 78 to allow the bill to scale the second reading on the same day it was introduced, signaling the urgency attached to the FCT appropriation.

Senators who contributed to the debate commended President Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for the rapid infrastructural development witnessed in the Territory within their two years in office. They also called for increased provision of social amenities in satellite towns surrounding the capital city.

The proposed legislation seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration's Statutory Revenue Fund to finance personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

With the second reading successfully completed, the bill is expected to proceed to committee stage for further legislative scrutiny before final passage.