The Senate received the 2026 statutory budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday. The proposal targets youth empowerment, power, education, healthcare, security, and agricultural productivity in the oil-producing region. The budget is aligned with the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda and the 2024-2026 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the President's communication on the floor and referred the proposal to the Senate Committee on Regional Development for consideration. The committee will review the proposal and report back to the Senate. The 2026 budget proposal is a significant development for the Niger Delta region, which has been a critical area of focus for the federal government.
In a related development, President Tinubu asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Maikano Saidu as Chairman of the Board of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, alongside Mohammed Asmau, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, and Dr. Suleiman Gidado as members of the board. The President invoked Section 5(3) of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act, 2007, in seeking the confirmation of the nominees.
The Senate also received a nomination from President Tinubu for Engineer Sani Ndanusa as Non-Career Ambassador and High Commissioner-designate to The Gambia. The nomination was made pursuant to Section 171(2)(c) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The Senate referred the nomination to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
Furthermore, President Tinubu nominated Engineer Wakili Bukar for a second and final five-year term as a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission, representing Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states. The nomination was referred to the Committee on Establishment for consideration. The Senate also received the National Postgraduate Medical College Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to rename the institution and expand its mandate.
The proposed legislation aims to enable the National Postgraduate Medical College to award PhD degrees in clinical medicine, dentistry, and related fields. According to the President, the Federal Minister of Justice has vetted and finalised the Bill in line with drafting standards and constitutional provisions. The bill was referred to the Committee on Rules and Business for consideration.
President Tinubu also forwarded the National Research and Development Fund Establishment Bill, 2026, which seeks to consolidate fragmented research funds across ministries, departments, and agencies into a single competitive funding mechanism. The proposed fund aims to strengthen collaboration among research agencies, academia, and the private sector, as well as promote the commercialisation of locally developed technologies.
Key points
- The Senate received several important communications from President Tinubu, including the NDDC 2026 budget proposal and several nominations for key positions.
- The 2026 budget proposal targets critical areas such as youth empowerment, power, education, healthcare, security, and agricultural productivity in the Niger Delta region.
- The Senate proceeded on another two-week break after receiving the communications from President Tinubu.
