According to the plan, lawmakers will dedicate the first two weeks of February 2026—from the 2nd to the 13th—to examining the budget estimates at the committee level. This phase will allow specialized committees to review allocations for different sectors and agencies.
In a move to ensure transparency and public participation, the committee has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, February 9, 2026. A notable highlight of this session will be a presentation by Professor Wasiu Adeoye, a respected economist from the University of Lagos, who will deliver insights via a PowerPoint presentation.
Beyond public input, the Senate has also planned an interactive session with top government economic officials on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Key figures expected to attend include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as well as the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu. This meeting aims to address critical questions and clarify fiscal strategies embedded in the budget.
Following these engagements, committee chairmen will have from February 16 to 23, 2026, to submit their reports on budget defenses. These findings will then be consolidated into a final report for presentation to the full Senate on March 17, 2026—the target date for passage.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, emphasized the Senate’s commitment to rigorous oversight. He noted that printed copies of the budget had been distributed to committee members to facilitate careful examination. Initially, the Senate leadership had pushed for an earlier passage by March 12, but Adeola successfully negotiated an additional week to allow for more thorough review.
The timeline was formally adopted during the committee’s special session, with Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) moving the motion and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) seconding it.
This budget process follows President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the proposal to the National Assembly on December 19, 2025. Dubbed the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience, and Shared Prosperity,” the plan seeks to build on recent economic gains, attract investment, and ultimately improve living standards for Nigerians through job creation and sustainable growth.
