President Bola Tinubu will on Friday present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint sitting of the National Assembly, setting the stage for legislative scrutiny of the federal government’s fiscal proposals for the new year.
The development was contained in the internal arrangements communicated to lawmakers and parliamentary staff, stating that the budget presentation, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, 19 December, will take place in the House of Representatives chamber.
The arrangements also explained that the presidency is expected to formally notify the House of Representatives when plenary resumes on Thursday, with President Tinubu’s request to address the joint session to be read on the floor of the House.
Details of the planned appearance were contained in a letter dated 17 December, written by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
The communication was reported to have been circulated to the Deputy Clerk and heads of departments, confirming that Tinubu, acting in his constitutional capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, will personally lay the 2026 budget estimates before the legislature.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is presenting the 2026 proposed Budget to the Joint Session of the National Assembly at 2:00 pm, on Friday, 19th December, 2025,” the letter read.
It also set out strict security and access measures for the day, as all accredited personnel were directed to report at their duty posts no later than 11:00 a.m., after which access to the National Assembly complex will be limited, urging non-accredited individuals to stay away from the premises entirely.
The annual budget presentation formally initiates the legislative phase of the federal budget process, during which lawmakers examine, amend and ultimately approve the government’s spending and revenue proposals for the 2026 fiscal year.