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Tinubu to Unveil 2026 Budget at National Assembly on Friday

By
Udehi Alambo
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0

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Friday, December 19, 2025, present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, formally laying before lawmakers the Federal Government’s fiscal roadmap for the coming year.

 

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 on Thursday, officially notifying legislators and National Assembly staff of the President’s appearance.

 

The development follows an internal circular dated December 17, 2025, signed by the Secretary of Human Resources and Staff Development, Adm. Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The notice was also circulated to the Deputy Clerk and heads of departments.

 

According to the letter, President Tinubu, in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will present the proposed 2026 Budget at exactly 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

 

The communication also detailed security and access arrangements for the event. All accredited persons are expected to be at their duty posts by 11:00 a.m., after which access to the National Assembly complex will be restricted. Non-accredited individuals have been advised to stay away from the premises.

 

Staff members, excluding the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Clerk of the House, Clerk of the Senate and their deputies, were directed to park their vehicles at designated areas within the Annex or the new car park near the National Assembly Service (NASS) Gate.

 

A National Assembly official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said lawmakers had begun preparations for the budget presentation.

 

“We are preparing to receive the President and carefully scrutinise the 2026 Budget proposals in line with our constitutional responsibilities,” the official said.

 

The annual budget presentation signals the formal submission of the Federal Government’s spending and revenue proposals to the legislature for consideration, debate and eventual approval. The 2026 Budget is expected to spell out the administration’s fiscal priorities, including revenue generation, infrastructure development, economic recovery strategies and social welfare programmes amid persistent inflationary and economic pressures.

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for ₦43.56 Trillion 2025 Budget Re-enactment

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to approve a ₦43.56 trillion budget re-enactment for the 2025 fiscal year, aimed at consolidating public spending and ending the practice of multiple budgets.

The request was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who said the Appropriation, Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024 has been submitted in line with constitutional appropriation processes.

According to the President, the proposed sum of ₦43,561,041,744,507 is allocated as follows:

· ₦1 trillion for statutory transfers

· ₦8.2 trillion for debt servicing

· ₦11.2 trillion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure

· ₦22.2 trillion for capital projects and development fund contributions

In his letter, Tinubu explained that the bill is designed to “end the practice of running multiple budgets while ensuring high capital performance rates for both the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets.”

He added that the legislation provides a “transparent and constitutionally grounded appropriation mechanism for the orderly consolidation of critical and time-sensitive expenditures undertaken in response to emergency exigencies.”

The President emphasized that the proposal would promote national well-being, safeguard security, and reinforce fiscal discipline, accountability, and sound public financial management.

Key oversight provisions in the bill include:

· Ensuring appropriated funds are used only for purposes specified in the schedule

· Requiring prior National Assembly approval for any virement (reallocation)

· Mandating separate recording of excess revenue, with spending only permitted through legislative approval

· Enforcing due process compliance and periodic reporting on releases, agency revenues, and assistance disbursements

Tinubu urged the Senate to “consider and pass the bill expeditiously” to ensure fiscal stability and effective budget implementation.

Senate President Akpabio confirmed that the letter had been forwarded to the relevant channels for legislative consideration. “The letter has been referred to the Senate secretariat to do the needful,” he stated.

The bill is now expected to undergo detailed scrutiny in the coming days as lawmakers assess its provisions and implications for Nigeria’s public finances and development agenda..

Lai Mohammed Launches Tell-All Book to Debunk ‘Myths’ of Buhari Years

By
Olajumoke Sanusi
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0

 

 

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday unveiled a revealing memoir aimed at dismantling what he described as widespread misconceptions surrounding the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

The 584-page book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, was presented in Abuja and chronicles Mohammed’s nearly eight years as Nigeria’s longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture, overseeing information, culture, tourism and national orientation.

 

At the launch, Mohammed described the book as a first-hand account of policy making and government communication during the Buhari era, written to provide context and clarity amid what he said were sustained narrative battles and misinformation.

 

“For almost eight years, I was at the centre of government communication, crisis management, national orientation, culture and tourism,” he said. “I saw firsthand how decisions were made, how narratives were shaped, and how misinformation often overshadowed facts. This book is about correcting misconceptions, providing context and sharing accounts that history must not forget.”

 

He argued that only insiders with direct access to power could accurately document such periods, warning that distorted narratives could easily define history if left unchallenged.

 

Mohammed revealed that the book contains behind-the-scenes accounts of difficult decisions that almost led to his resignation, communication strategies during the 2023 general elections, the recovery of Nigeria’s looted artefacts, and confrontations with the Bring Back Our Girls campaign.

 

Other highlights include the government’s battles against security-related misinformation, the “Change Begins With Me” campaign, and personal reflections on the late former president.

 

Responding to questions on whether the book was meant to defend Buhari’s legacy, Mohammed said the truth needed no defense, citing the administration’s scorecard series and legacy portal as evidence of its record.

 

“President Muhammadu Buhari did his best and left the rest to posterity, which I am confident will be kind to him,” he said.

 

He added that the book was intended as a reference tool for researchers, journalists and students interested in politics, public communication and governance.

 

Reviewing the book, former presidential spokesman and ThisDay Editorial Board Chairman, Segun Adeniyi, described it as a significant insider account of the Buhari years, blending history, policy explanations and pointed rebuttals to critics of both the administration and Mohammed himself.

 

“What emerges is the portrait of a minister who saw himself not merely as a government spokesperson, but as a strategic communicator tasked with changing the narrative,” Adeniyi said.

 

He praised the book’s detailed accounts of crisis communications during COVID-19, the P&ID arbitration case, security media tours and the digital television switchover, as well as achievements such as the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes and the revival of the National Theatre.

 

However, Adeniyi noted that sections on sensitive issues like the Twitter suspension and the #EndSARS protests read more like legal defenses than balanced history, pointing to limited self-criticism and a tendency to frame dissent as disinformation.

 

“Future researchers will find valuable raw materials here, but they will need to triangulate this account with other sources to arrive at a fuller picture,” he said.

FCT Monarch Pledges Support, Donates ₦1 Million for Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

ABUJA — The Agaba of Jiwa Chiefdom in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Alhaji Idris Musa, has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term aspiration and donated ₦1 million to a pro-Tinubu support group in the Federal Capital Territory.

The donation was made on Wednesday when the FCT Renewed Hope Ambassadors, led by its Coordinator, Hon. Adamu Abdullahi, paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler at his palace in Jiwa.

Alhaji Musa commended President Tinubu’s leadership and praised his appointment of Barr. Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT. He also lauded the President for selecting Hon. Abdullahi to coordinate the support group in the territory, describing him as “a worthy son.”

The monarch pledged to personally lead mobilization efforts within his chiefdom and beyond to ensure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He urged residents to appreciate what he termed the President’s “inclusive governance and brotherly gestures” toward the people of Abuja, particularly through strategic appointments and development-focused policies.

In his response, Hon. Abdullahi commended the Tinubu administration for its “deliberate and inclusive” approach to governing the FCT, highlighting key appointments, infrastructure projects, and policies aimed at repositioning Abuja.

He also emphasized the important role of traditional institutions in driving sustainable development and sought the Agaba’s permission to engage with tribal chiefs across the chiefdom to promote peace and mobilization.

The visit underscores early grassroots political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections and highlights the role of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s political mobilization efforts.

Reps Begin Sweeping Review of Nigeria’s Treaties, Foreign Agreements

By
Udehi Alambo
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0

 

 

The House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements has launched a nationwide review of all bilateral and multilateral treaties, protocols, agreements and foreign-assisted contracts entered into by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

The initiative comes amid rising public concern over foreign-funded projects and international commitments, with growing calls for stronger oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s cross-border obligations.

 

The committee disclosed the exercise on Wednesday during a press briefing at the House of Representatives Media Centre in Abuja, noting that the review is aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, ensuring compliance with the law and protecting the country from potentially harmful financial and legal liabilities arising from poorly negotiated agreements.

 

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Rabiu Yusuf, expressed concern over what he described as weak oversight mechanisms in previous treaty arrangements.

 

“Nigeria cannot be constrained by agreements that threaten her sovereignty, destabilise her economy or impose unfair burdens on future generations,” Yusuf said. “This committee will ensure transparency, strengthen accountability and guarantee that every treaty aligns with the national interest.”

 

He explained that the review would span critical sectors including infrastructure, finance, power, transportation, ICT, aviation, ports, environment and security. Special attention, he added, would be paid to compliance with Section 12 of the Constitution on treaty domestication, procurement procedures, arbitration clauses, loan terms, collateral risks and local content requirements.

 

As part of the exercise, Yusuf said the committee would issue formal requests for documents to 53 key stakeholders, including federal ministries and agencies, regulators, state governments, foreign contractors, Chinese firms, development partners and financial institutions.

 

He also disclosed that a nationwide public sensitisation campaign has commenced, featuring full-page newspaper advertisements and televised announcements to educate Nigerians on the scope and importance of the review.

 

To ensure technical depth and credibility, the committee has engaged Technical and Strategic Consultants to conduct forensic treaty analyses, legal and financial risk assessments, stakeholder mapping, document evaluations and digital treaty-tracking.

 

The lawmaker further revealed that the committee plans to hold interrogative sessions, public hearings and field verification visits to major national project sites beginning early next year. A final report, expected by May 2026, will present legislative recommendations and a comprehensive framework for reforming Nigeria’s treaty governance system.

 

“This is not a political exercise but a constitutional and patriotic duty in the interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Yusuf stressed, urging all ministries, agencies, companies and international partners to cooperate fully with the committee.

 

Members of the public and the media have been encouraged to follow updates through official National Assembly communication channels.

Opposition Slams Tinubu’s Tax Plan as ‘Colonial-Era Brutality,’ Demands Immediate Halt

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

 

 

As the Federal Government prepares to roll out a new tax regime, the National Opposition Movement has strongly condemned the plan, describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as “worse than colonial authority” and calling for the immediate suspension of the policy’s take-off date.

 

The opposition warned that the proposed tax regime, scheduled to commence in January, would impose severe and inhumane burdens on Nigerians who are already grappling with economic hardship and lack the fiscal capacity to absorb further financial pressure.

 

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Movement’s spokesperson and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Hon. Chille Igbawua, said the timing and structure of the tax plan revealed what he described as the administration’s insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Nigerians.

 

“The situation in Nigeria today is terrible. Many Nigerians can barely afford food, transport, security, electricity bills or rent,” Igbawua said. “Yet, at a time like this, the Tinubu administration is preparing to roll out what may be the most punitive and exploitative tax regime in Nigeria’s history.”

 

He alleged that even colonial administrations did not contemplate imposing such harsh economic measures on citizens, warning that the new tax regime would take effect when Nigerians have little or no fiscal space for further sacrifices.

 

According to the opposition, the proposed tax law would compel all adults of taxable age, whether employed or unemployed, to file tax returns between January 1 and March 31, 2026, with penalties applying thereafter. Company owners, Igbawua said, would also be required to file returns for all employees, regardless of whether they earn below the taxable threshold, provided they have a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

 

Describing the policy as “mindless,” the opposition argued that the plan ignored Nigeria’s harsh realities, including widespread unemployment, limited access to internet services and weak public service delivery.

 

“In a country where over 70 million people are unemployed and small and medium-scale businesses are struggling to survive, this government is setting up an exploitative racket against innocent Nigerians,” Igbawua said, adding that the policy resembled what he called the “infamous Lagos governance strategy.”

 

The Movement further claimed that low-income earners, including those earning below the minimum wage, would be heavily affected by the tax regime, coming on the heels of subsidy removal and rising living costs.

 

“This is not tax reform; it is an assault on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians,” Igbawua said. “You cannot tax hunger. You cannot tax poverty. And you cannot tax people into prosperity.”

 

The opposition accused the government of demanding more sacrifices from citizens while public office holders continued to benefit from what it described as excessive privileges, warning that Nigerians were being pushed to the brink.

 

In its demands, the National Opposition Movement called for the immediate suspension of the tax plan’s implementation, nationwide consultations involving labour unions, civil society groups, professionals, small and medium enterprises and state governments, as well as explicit social protection measures tied to any tax reform.

 

It also urged the government to focus on taxing luxury, excess profits, monopolies and corruption, rather than placing additional burdens on poor and vulnerable citizens.

 

The group concluded that Nigeria’s problem was not low taxation but waste, corruption, mismanagement and policy arrogance, insisting that “government failure cannot be fixed by billing its victims.”

Reps Push Electoral Reforms, Expand INEC Powers, Put Section 51 on Hold

By
Roland Edet
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0

Reps Push Electoral Reforms, Ex

 

The House of Representatives on Wednesday intensified efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, approving far-reaching amendments to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill aimed at strengthening the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), tightening electoral procedures and closing loopholes exposed in recent elections.

 

During a clause-by-clause consideration at plenary, lawmakers adopted several provisions designed to enhance transparency, improve the conduct of elections and reduce post-election disputes.

 

Clauses 3, 5 and 6, which deal with preliminary provisions and interpretations under the Act, were approved to update legal definitions in line with modern electoral practices. According to Hon. Fatima Balarabe (Kaduna), clear and updated definitions are essential to prevent ambiguities that could undermine the electoral process.

 

The House also adopted Clauses 10 and 12, which reinforce INEC’s authority over the organisation, supervision and management of elections, including logistics and staff deployment. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu stressed that the commission must have firm legal backing to operate efficiently and independently.

 

Amendments to Clauses 18 and 22, covering voter registration and the compilation, maintenance and display of the voters’ register, were approved to curb manipulation and enhance voter inclusion. Lawmakers said the changes would help protect eligible voters from disenfranchisement.

 

Further amendments were adopted to Clauses 23 and 29, which regulate political party nominations and the submission of candidates’ lists to INEC, with clearer timelines and compliance measures introduced to strengthen oversight of party processes.

 

Clauses 31, 32 and 34, addressing party primaries, publication of candidates’ particulars and qualifications for elective offices, were approved to tackle pre-election irregularities and promote transparency.

 

The House also approved Clauses 47, 50 and 54 relating to voting procedures, voter accreditation and the use of technology in elections, providing INEC with stronger legal support to deploy electronic systems.

 

In addition, Clauses 60 and 62, which focus on the declaration, collation, transmission and custody of election results, were adopted to minimise disputes after elections. Clauses 64 and 65 on electoral offences and penalties were also approved, signalling a tougher stance against malpractice such as vote-buying.

 

Lawmakers further adopted Clauses 71 and 73, dealing with election petitions and timelines for dispute resolution, while Clause 74 was amended to streamline post-election legal procedures.

 

However, consideration of Section 51 was deferred. Deputy Speaker Kalu explained that the provision was not included in the committee report presented to the House and could not be considered under parliamentary rules.

 

With the adoption of the committee’s report as a working document, the House paved the way for further deliberations on outstanding sections of the bill.

 

“These amendments are not mere legal technicalities,” Kalu said. “They are deliberate steps toward restoring Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that future elections are free, fair and credible.”

 

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill is seen as a critical move toward strengthening democratic governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of future polls.

No Justification for Biafra Agitation, Nigeria Better United — Umahi

By
Saladin Babagana
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0

 

…Hails Tinubu’s Massive Infrastructure Drive in South-East, Other Regions

 

 

 

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that there is no justification for renewed Biafra agitation, insisting that Nigerians are better off united as one nation under the inclusive administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

Umahi made the assertion on Wednesday during a press conference at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where he also defended the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects and dismissed allegations of procurement violations, particularly concerning projects in the South-East.

 

According to the minister, the South-East is now visibly included in national development under the Tinubu administration, a development he said has eroded the basis for separatist agitation.

 

“There was a time the South-East was totally excluded. That has changed. Today, the president has included us, and that inclusion is real and visible,” Umahi said.

 

Responding to criticism by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe over the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, Umahi described the allegations as an attack on his integrity, stressing that all statutory requirements, including the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), were duly followed.

 

“There are three categories of procurement recognised by the Procurement Act. I want Senator Abaribe to go and study it and come back to tell Nigerians whether there was any infringement in the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway,” he said.

 

He explained that the project was openly advertised, subjected to stakeholder engagement, and certified after an internationally recognised ESIA process, adding that foreign financial institutions later adjudged it to be of high quality and even undervalued.

 

“The project was so credible that when it was presented to international financiers, it was oversubscribed by over 100 million dollars,” Umahi disclosed.

 

On project delivery, the minister said the first section of the Lagos Coastal Road has reached about 85 per cent completion and would soon be opened to traffic, while work on the second section was progressing steadily.

 

Highlighting federal presence in the South-East, Umahi listed key projects such as the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Enugu–Port Harcourt Road, Second Niger Bridge bypass, Abakaliki–Enugu Road, as well as several flyovers and bridges, noting that many are completed or at advanced stages.

 

He also attributed improved performance by state governments to increased federal support, citing Abia State as an example, and disclosed that President Tinubu has approved the establishment of an army training depot in Ebonyi State to strengthen security in the region.

 

Umahi maintained that sustained inclusion, infrastructure development and security interventions have removed the rationale for separatist agitation, urging Nigerians to embrace constructive criticism, national unity and transparency.

 

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo Esq, praised President Tinubu for what he described as “uncommon love” for national development through massive infrastructure investments across all regions.

 

“There is nowhere in this country where projects are not springing up. The president is deploying resources because he genuinely wants to develop this country,” Goronyo said.

 

He cited major road projects across the North-West, including corridors in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states, some of which have reached about 40 per cent completion with durable concrete pavements designed to last up to 100 years.

 

Goronyo also commended the president for reviving long-abandoned projects such as the Sokoto–Badagry Road, describing it as a decades-old dream realised under the current administration.

 

While praising security agencies for protecting construction sites, he expressed concern over damage to road infrastructure caused by illegal trading, indiscriminate parking of heavy trucks and vandalism, calling on Nigerians to help safeguard public assets.

 

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to reactivate the Safer Highway Patrol and appealed to citizens to appreciate what he described as unprecedented infrastructure delivery, noting that over 1,600 projects are currently ongoing nationwide.

 

“This is a president with a big heart to unite this country. What we are showing Nigerians is a true reflection of what is on ground,” Goronyo said.

Nigeria, US Share Common Democratic Ideals — Akpabio Assures American Envoy

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

 

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday said Nigeria and the United States are united by shared democratic values, noting that Nigeria’s democratic system is largely modelled after that of America.

 

Akpabio stressed the need for both countries to continue nurturing and preserving this common democratic goal while strengthening bilateral relations.

 

The Senate President made the remarks while receiving the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jnr, who paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly, Abuja.

 

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, Akpabio said the engagement was timely, especially given the evolving global and bilateral challenges.

 

“These are very difficult times, but I am happy that my distinguished colleagues are here and that we are having this engagement,” Akpabio was quoted as saying. “This is a visit we have been looking forward to, and we even proposed visiting you to have an overview of the current situation between our two countries.”

 

He also recalled his recent interaction with the US envoy during America’s 249th Independence Anniversary, congratulating the United States on its long history of democratic practice.

 

“That means you have practised democracy for 249 years. We cannot say we have done the same in Nigeria,” he said. “However, the collaboration between our countries is strong, and our democracy and system of government are modelled after that of the United States of America.”

 

Akpabio further noted shared values beyond governance, pointing to faith as a unifying factor between both nations.

 

“One thing I know is that America has remained prosperous and has assisted many countries of the world because of its strong belief that ‘In God we trust.’ In Nigeria, despite our religious and ethnic diversities, we also believe that God is the greatest. So, we share something in common,” he said, welcoming the envoy to the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

In his response, Ambassador Mills said his visit was aimed at deepening discussions on US–Nigeria relations and exploring ways to further strengthen cooperation between both countries.

 

He added that the United States Mission was keen on advancing shared objectives and understanding the legislative agenda of the Nigerian Senate in the year ahead.

End of an Era: Ahmed Musa Bows Out as Super Eagles’ Most Capped Star

By
Udehi Alambo
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0

 

 

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped footballer, has officially announced his retirement from international football, drawing the curtain on a distinguished 15-year career with the Super Eagles.

 

The former national team captain made the announcement in an emotional message shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he thanked Nigerians for their steadfast support throughout his journey in the national colours.

 

“I wore this badge with pride for 15 years. From a 17-year-old boy answering every call to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances. AFCON champion, Nigeria’s highest World Cup goalscorer, captain, servant and believer,” Musa wrote.

“I gave everything. Thank you, Nigeria… my heart will always beat green.”

 

Musa’s rise on the international stage began unusually early, as he was simultaneously invited to the U-20, U-23 and senior national teams a rare achievement that underscored his exceptional talent and promise.

 

Over the years, the forward established himself as a mainstay of the Super Eagles, featuring in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cups. He was instrumental in Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON triumph and etched his name in history as the country’s highest goalscorer at the World Cup.

 

Beyond his goals and records, Musa earned widespread respect for his leadership, professionalism and unwavering commitment. His influence within the team saw him handed the captain’s armband, while he also played a key mentoring role for younger players.

 

As he steps away from international duty, Ahmed Musa leaves behind a rich legacy one defined by excellence, leadership and devotion to national service and will be remembered as one of Nigeria’s greatest and most enduring football icons.

 

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