The Senate has approved a revised ₦43.561 trillion 2024 Appropriation Act alongside a reworked 2025 budget framework, following the passage of the Appropriation (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bills.

The bills were considered at the Committee of Supply stage and later at plenary, where they were passed through a voice vote. Senators described the exercise as a crucial step towards restoring fiscal discipline and improving clarity within the nation’s budgeting process.

The approval followed a letter dated December 19, 2025, from Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the National Assembly, conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for the repeal and re-enactment of certain provisions of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts in line with constitutional and legislative requirements.

Presenting the bills, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, APC, Ogun West, explained that the revisions were necessary to align the budgets with prevailing fiscal realities, revenue limitations, and emerging national priorities. He stated that the 2024 budget was increased from the original ₦35.005 trillion to ₦43.561 trillion to adequately cover statutory transfers, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital projects.

On the 2025 fiscal year, Senator Adeola disclosed that the earlier ₦54.99 trillion Appropriation Act was replaced with a revised ₦48.316 trillion framework. He explained that the adjustment resulted from the rollover of part of the 2025 capital allocation into the 2026 fiscal year due to funding constraints, a move aimed at enhancing budget effectiveness and ensuring debt sustainability.

Adeola further revealed that ₦8.5 trillion was injected into the 2024 capital component to address pressing security, humanitarian, and economic emergencies. He added that in the 2025 budget, ₦6.674 trillion was deferred to 2026 to allow for improved implementation capacity and stronger revenue performance.

The lawmaker cautioned against operating multiple budget cycles simultaneously, noting that such practices undermine fiscal discipline, transparency, and effective oversight.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, APC, Kano North, commended the committee for delivering what he described as a high-quality report despite working within a limited timeframe.

Contributing to the debate, Senators Sani Musa, APC, Niger East, and Adetokunbo Abiru, APC, Lagos East, said the revised budgets adequately captured critical infrastructure projects, including rail and road developments. They noted that the adjustments would improve coordination while protecting priority expenditure.

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North, described the passage of the bills as a welcome reform that would prevent distortions arising from overlapping budget cycles.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio hailed the approval as a “major transformative step” that would strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in Nigeria’s budgetary system.