President Bola Tinubu will on Friday present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, amid growing expectations that the new spending plan will prioritise economic reform, business stimulation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The announcement was conveyed in a circular issued on Wednesday by Essien Eyo Essien, Secretary of Human Resources and Staff Development, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
The notice stated that Tinubu is scheduled to address lawmakers by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, laying before them the Federal Government’s fiscal direction for 2026.
Security will be tightened around the National Assembly complex, with only accredited individuals allowed access. Staff members have been instructed to report to their duty posts by 11:00 a.m. or risk being denied entry.
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“Non-accredited persons should stay away from the National Assembly on that day,” the circular warned. It also directed staff—except top management officials—to park their vehicles at the Annex or the new car park near the NASS gate.
Tinubu’s budget presentation comes at a time when businesses are grappling with high operating costs, weak consumer demand and rising interest rates. Economic stakeholders are looking to the 2026 proposal for measures that could expand SME financing, improve infrastructure, lower regulatory bottlenecks and stimulate job creation.
Analysts say the government is under pressure to balance fiscal discipline with targeted stimulus for sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, technology and the informal sector—critical engines for national employment and GDP growth.
Friday’s presentation will formally begin the National Assembly’s budget consideration process, after which committees will engage Ministries, Departments and Agencies before final approval is given ahead of the 2026 fiscal year.
