Tinubu to present 2026 budget to N’Assembly Friday

Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Tinubu will on Friday,present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.

Ahead of the presentation, a formal communication from the Presidency is expected to be read on the floor of the House of Representatives when plenary resumes today (Thursday), notifying lawmakers and National Assembly staff of the President’s appearance.

Our correspondent sighted a letter dated December 17, 2025, signed by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The letter was copied to the Deputy Clerk and heads of departments.

According to the correspondence, President Tinubu, “in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” will present the proposed 2026 budget to the joint sitting at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

The letter also outlined security and access arrangements for the day, directing all accredited persons to be at their duty posts by 11:00 a.m., and noting that access to the National Assembly complex “will be restricted thereafter.”

It further advised non-accredited persons to stay away from the National Assembly complex.

In addition, staff members—except the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Clerk of the House, Clerk of the Senate and their deputies—were directed to park their vehicles at designated areas at the Annex or the new car park by the National Assembly Service Gate.

The annual budget presentation formally marks the transmission of the Federal Government’s fiscal proposals for the coming year to the legislature for scrutiny, debate and approval.

Although the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the President to lay budget estimates before each chamber of the National Assembly, successive administrations have adopted the practice of presenting the Appropriation Bill to a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The tradition allows the President to outline the government’s economic priorities, revenue assumptions and expenditure plans for the new fiscal year, while underscoring cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Following the presentation, the Appropriation Bill is referred to relevant committees in both chambers for detailed consideration, public hearings and possible amendments before it is passed and transmitted to the President for assent.(Punch)