The senate has tentatively scheduled March 17 for the final consideration and passage of the N58.47 trillion 2026 budget through its committee on appropriations.
The decision was reached during a special meeting of the committee held on Friday.
The committee fixed February 2 to 13 for the review of budget estimates by various committees.
February 9 has also been set aside for a public hearing to allow broader stakeholder participation in the budget process.
Solomon Adeola, chairman of the committee on appropriations and senator representing Ogun west, said Wasiu Adeoye, professor of economics at the University of Lagos, will deliver a PowerPoint presentation at the public hearing.
Adeola said March 5 has been approved for an interactive engagement between committee members and federal government economic managers.
He said the session will feature Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, and Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and national planning, alongside other officials.
The Ogun State senator said February 16 to 23 has been allocated for standing committee chairmen to submit reports on their budget defence sessions.
According to him, the reports will be harmonised and laid before the senate on March 17 for final consideration.
The chairman disclosed that senate leadership had initially targeted March 12 for the budget’s passage but later agreed to extend the deadline by one week.
He added that hard copies of the 2026 budget have been printed and distributed to standing committee members for thorough examination.
The committee adopted the timetable after a motion was moved by Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, and seconded by Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north.
On December 19, President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 appropriation bill to the national assembly.
The budget was themed “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”.
The president said the 2026 spending plan underscores the government’s resolve to stabilise the economy, strengthen competitiveness and ensure inclusive growth for Nigerians.