Nigerian House of Reps 2026 Budget Debate – 31 March 2026
On 31 March 2026, the Nigerian House of Representatives sat to consider the 2026 Appropriation Bill totalling ₦68.3 trillion, alongside a separate bill to extend the 2025 capital budget deadline by three months. These agenda items directly affect how the federal government spends public money on infrastructure, salaries, debt repayments, and statutory transfers across the country.
The House of Representatives held its 108th sitting of the Third Session on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, with two major financial matters at the centre of the day's agenda.
First, a bill to extend the capital spending window of the 2025 budget — from 31 March 2026 to 30 June 2026 — was listed for both its First Reading (as a new bill, HB.2743, sponsored by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere) and immediately for Second Reading and Committee of Supply consideration on the same day. This means lawmakers were set to debate and potentially approve an extra three months for ministries and agencies to implement 2025 capital projects.
Second, the House's Committee on Appropriations presented its report on the 2026 Appropriation Bill (HB.2682), which proposes total spending of ₦68.3 trillion. Of that amount, ₦15.8 trillion is earmarked for debt servicing, ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent non-debt spending such as salaries and overheads, ₦32.3 trillion for capital projects, and ₦4.8 trillion for statutory transfers. The projected deficit stands at approximately ₦31.5 trillion, to be financed largely through borrowing.
The chamber also scheduled the admittance of the APC National Chairman, Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, and other dignitaries to observe the plenary session.
