By George Mgbeleke

The Senate on Thursday passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) approving a total expenditure of N2.285 trillion for the administration and development of Abuja.

The approval was sequel to the presentation of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the FCT during plenary.

Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Austin Akobundu, presented the report on behalf of Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Bomai.

According to Akobundu, the budget is based on a projected revenue estimate of N2.385 trillion as it allocates N165.7 billion to personnel costs, N378.2 billion to overhead expenditure, and N1.741 trillion to capital projects across the territory.

He said 76.19 per cent of the total allocation is devoted to capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure accounts for 23.8 per cent.

The appropriation, he added, complied with constitutional provisions and followed extensive consultations between the joint committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

“The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter,” Akobundu said.

Lawmakers described the budget as balanced and development‑oriented, with potential to accelerate infrastructure growth and improve security in Abuja and its satellite communities.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended the proposal, calling it “top notch” and reflective of a strong commitment to infrastructural transformation in the FCT.

“Mr President, the budget is top notch. You know, I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country that had the opportunity to serve as chairman of the appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate. So when I see a good budget I know it’s a good budget.

“A budget that has a total of N2.2 trillion and out of this, N1.7 trillion is going for capital shows his willingness and determination to continue to position FCT to the admiration of all,” he said.

Also contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi also described the budget as well‑packaged and balanced, noting that it addressed observations raised by the Senate Committee on the FCT during earlier budget reviews.

In his remarks, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the committee for a job well done and urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike not to relent in the development of the Territory.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed outrage, anger, and deep national embarrassment over the staggering failure of Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions and political leadership to act decisively on the monumental waste and alleged corruption surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

It is a massive national shame that despite over $2.4 billion reportedly sunk into the so-called Turnaround Maintenance of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, there is little to no tangible result to justify such colossal expenditure. Yet, those responsible walk free, uninvestigated, and unprosecuted.

In a statement signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group unequivocally condemned what it describes as the disgraceful inertia of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), which have failed woefully in their statutory duties to arrest, investigate, and prosecute those indicted in this apparent economic sabotage.

“Why are the officials responsible for this monumental waste not in jail?” HURIWA demands.

“What exactly are the EFCC and ICPC waiting for? Must Nigerians continue to tolerate impunity of this scale?”

Even more disturbing, HURIWA accuses the National Assembly of Nigeria of turning what should be a serious probe into a political charade designed to generate campaign slush funds rather than deliver justice.

“Otherwise, how do we explain the endless hearings without consequences? Why has no single high-profile conviction emerged from these investigations?” the group queried.

HURIWA did not spare the Presidency, holding Bola Ahmed Tinubu accountable for what it described as a “deafening silence and unacceptable inaction” in the face of what it called one of the most brazen financial scandals in Nigeria’s recent history.

“This administration cannot continue to look the other way while public wealth is looted in broad daylight. The President must act—decisively and immediately—or risk being seen as complicit,” the statement added.

The association warned that history would deliver a harsh verdict on all institutions and individuals who have failed to act.
“Posterity will judge this National Assembly harshly for what appears to be a dangerous connivance with corrupt elements within the NNPC to drain public resources meant for national development,” HURIWA declared.

HURIWA further described the latest move by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to enter yet another agreement with foreign partners as “a suspicious recycling of failed strategies,” insisting that without accountability, no reform can succeed.

The group, however, commended prominent industrialist Aliko Dangote for what it described as his courage in consistently speaking out against systemic corruption in the oil sector.
“At a time when many have chosen silence, Dangote has shown uncommon patriotism by drawing national attention to the rot in the system. His voice reflects the frustration of millions of Nigerians,” HURIWA noted.

HURIWA therefore demands:

Immediate arrest and prosecution of all officials linked to the failed refinery rehabilitation projects;

A transparent forensic audit of all funds spent on refinery maintenance;

Public disclosure of all contracts, contractors, and payment structures;

Immediate overhaul of anti-corruption agencies for failure to act;

An end to what it termed “legislative theatrics” in place of real accountability.

“Nigeria cannot continue like this. This culture of impunity must end. The looting of public wealth must stop. The time for action is now,” the statement concluded.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the 2026 farming season in Niger State north Central Nigeria, alongside the distribution of modern farming equipment to farmers across the state’s 25 local government areas.

The event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, attracted top government officials, ministers, leaders of the All Progressives Congress, members of the State Executive Council, and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Items distributed include 250 tractors, 50 combine harvesters, 150,000 bags of fertiliser, 1,500 planters, ploughs, boom sprayers, and harrows.

Mrs. Tinubu praised Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his strong commitment to agriculture, noting that Niger State has become one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs. She said the governor’s efforts show that agriculture is a reliable path to economic growth, job creation, and long-term sustainability.

According to her, the programme marks a major step from traditional farming to modern, mechanised, and commercial agriculture. She added that the initiative will help farmers increase productivity, improve their income, and contribute more to Nigeria’s economy.

The First Lady also said the initiative supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises food availability and affordability. She urged farmers to make good use of the equipment and adopt modern farming methods.

In his remarks, Governor Bago said his administration is investing heavily in agriculture to support farming on 120,000 hectares of land across the state. He explained that the plan will create about 3,000 jobs and produce an estimated 500,000 tons of food each farming season.

The governor said the new equipment and inputs will improve the entire agricultural value chain, not just in Niger State but across the country. He added that his government will expand irrigation systems to allow farming throughout the year and ensure proper arrangements for buying farmers’ produce.

He also called on farmers and stakeholders to work closely with the Niger Food Security and Logistics Limited to achieve food production targets. He appealed to the First Lady to continue supporting the state by attracting more agricultural investments.
The National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, commended the initiative, saying it will strengthen food security, especially with ongoing national infrastructure projects.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris Malagi, described agriculture as vital to Nigeria’s economy and said the federal government is committed to supporting the sector.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the government is working with states and stakeholders to ensure Nigeria can feed itself, noting that Niger State is leading due to its large fertile land.

Other speakers, including the Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, and the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the initiative will modernise farming, boost productivity, and empower farmers.

The Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Agaie, Yusuf Nuhu, described the programme as a major step toward solving food insecurity in the country.