In a major legislative endorsement, the Senate has approved the second reading of the 2025 Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), clearing a historic N1.78 trillion budget—marking the highest ever allocation to Nigeria’s capital.
The budget proposal, presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscores a national focus on job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare, infrastructure development, and agricultural productivity. “Our objective is to lift as many of our citizens out of poverty as we can,” Tinubu stated in his letter to the lawmakers.
According to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the appropriation allocates N150 billion to personnel costs and N280.5 billion to overheads, while an overwhelming N1.28 trillion—about 85% of the total—is set aside for capital projects. The focus remains on completing existing infrastructure projects that are already transforming the face of the capital.
Senators commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for the rapid and visible development across Abuja, particularly in road expansion and improved access to suburban communities. Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded Wike’s efforts as “glaring,” while former FCT Minister Adamu Aliero emphasized the need for greater attention to education, healthcare, and utility services.
With the Senate’s nod, Wike now commands the largest FCT budget in history—an unprecedented opportunity to deepen the capital’s urban renewal and expand its development footprint across all six area councils.
