Nigeria's Ministers to Defend 2026 Budget Before Senate Panel on March 5

Ministers Wale Edun (Finance) and Atiku Bagudu (Budget and National Planning) will appear before the Senate on March 5 to defend Nigeria's 2026 budget proposal. The Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled a special session on Friday to approve a comprehensive timetable for the budget defense process, with public input and final legislative action.

The N58.47 trillion appropriation bill is set for scrutiny, with a tentative final consideration and passage date of March 17, 2026. The Senate is intensifying scrutiny of the budget proposal, with key members of the federal government's economic team expected to engage with the committee.

Public hearings and technical presentations are part of the process to ensure broader stakeholder participation. The Senate leadership aims to pass the budget on March 12, 2026, allowing an additional week for meticulous examination before formal adoption.