—- Says proposal was designed to strengthen macroeconomic stability, boost global competitiveness, and translate economic growth into improved living standards for Nigerians.
The National Assembly (NASS) has resumed plenary sittings with lawmakers turning their attention to the scrutiny of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ₦58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal and far-reaching reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system. Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed that both chambers of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives would prioritise the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, amendments to the Electoral Act, and the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Bamidele revealed that relevant committees had already commenced a detailed examination of the revenue and expenditure framework of the 2026 budget, which President Tinubu presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.
According to him, lawmakers would dedicate substantial time to the budget, describing it as critical to sustaining economic stability and consolidating recent fiscal gains.
“The 2026 Appropriation Bill is crucial to the growth, prosperity, and stability of our economy, not just for this year but beyond, given its focus on consolidating the gains of previous years,” Bamidele said.
He added that the successful passage of the budget would also help restore and sustain the January–December budget cycle, a long-standing fiscal goal of successive administrations.
Bamidele expressed optimism about funding the budget, attributing improved prospects to recent fiscal reforms, particularly the 2025 Tax Reform Act. He explained that the reforms had eased the burden on low-income earners while ensuring that wealthier citizens contribute more to national revenue.
“From the reforms of our fiscal space, we believe funding our budget will no longer be a challenge, and our budget deficit will begin to shrink year by year,” he stated.
Beyond budgetary matters, the Senate Leader said electoral reforms were a major legislative priority ahead of the 2027 general elections. He revealed that the proposed Electoral Bill, 2025, contains over 20 key amendments aimed at enhancing transparency, credibility, and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The proposed changes include voting rights for inmates, early release of election funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electronically generated voter identification, real-time transmission of results, uniform delegates for indirect party primaries, stricter voter registration procedures, and stiffer penalties for electoral offences.
According to Bamidele, the reforms are designed to eliminate impunity and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system. On constitutional review, he disclosed that technical consultations and public hearings had been concluded, with the final report expected to be presented to the Senate before the end of the first quarter of 2026. He stressed that any constitutional amendments would still require approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
Reflecting on the remaining 16 months of the 10th National Assembly’s tenure, Bamidele assured Nigerians that lawmakers would intensify efforts to deliver reforms that promote good governance, credible elections, and sustainable economic development.
“At this critical time, the responsibility rests on us to reinforce our constituents’ trust in their representatives, in the National Assembly, and in the Nigerian state,” he said.