Niger Assembly passes N1.073trn 2026 budget

The Niger State House of Assembly has passed into law the ₦1,073,991,335,895.00 Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year, presented to the House by the State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, on December 12, 2025.

The budget, referred to as the “Budget of Consolidation,” was approved alongside the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

This followed the review and adoption of the report by the House Standing Committee on Planning and Appropriation, which was presented by its Chairman, Hon. Zubairu Ismaila from the Rafi Constituency, during the plenary session.

A breakdown of the approved budget shows that ₦290,296,631,404.00 was allocated for Capital Expenditure, while ₦783,694,704,491.00 was approved for Recurrent Expenditure.

While presenting the committee’s report, Hon. Zubairu Ismaila stated that the House thoroughly deliberated on the policy direction, objectives, and guiding principles of the 2026 Budget.

He explained that the Appropriation Bill was earlier read for the second time and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Planning and Appropriation for detailed legislative scrutiny, in line with Order 8, Rule 6(a) of the Standing Orders of the House, 2019, with other Standing Committees serving as sub-committees.

He further disclosed that the Planning and Appropriation Committee, in collaboration with the House Committee on Rules and Business, developed a clear timetable to guide the budget screening exercise.

This ensured that all Standing Committees carried out their assignments effectively and submitted their reports within the stipulated time.

According to him, on December 20, 2025, the Planning and Appropriation Committee convened to consider the reports submitted by the various Standing Committees.

The committee also interfaced with key stakeholders involved in the state’s budgeting process to address grey areas and issues raised during the screening exercise.

Stakeholders present at the engagement included representatives from: Ministry of Finance, Niger State Planning Commission, Niger State Internal Revenue Service, Niger State Public Procurement Board and Fiscal Responsibility Bureau.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the House resolved into the Committee of Supply for a clause-by-clause consideration of the Appropriation Bill.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Barr. (Dr) Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, who presided over the sitting, subsequently called for the adoption of the committee’s report.

The House unanimously adopted and passed the report, thereby approving the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.

In his closing remarks, the Speaker commended the House Committee on Planning and Appropriation, as well as members of the various Standing Committees, for their dedication and commitment to duty throughout the budget process.

He also appealed to Nigerlites to continue supporting government policies and programmes and to always offer constructive advice for the overall development of the state.

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