The House of Representatives is expected to commence debate on the general principles of the 2026 budget estimates presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The budget is contained in a Bill for an Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of ₦58,472,628,944,759. Of this amount, ₦4,097,381,103,856 is earmarked for Statutory Transfers, ₦15,909,361,631,657 for Debt Service, ₦15,251,538,827,423 for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure, while ₦23,214,347,381,824 is allocated as contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2026.

The 2026 Appropriation Bill was the only item listed on the Order Paper for Second Reading on Wednesday but was later rescheduled for debate to commence on Thursday.

According to the Deputy Speaker, the bill was read for the first time on December 19, 2025. In line with legislative procedure, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, had earlier invited the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, to move the motion for the bill to be read a second time, while the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, seconded the motion.

Although the motion was moved and seconded, the Deputy Speaker later announced that the House would begin debate on the bill on Thursday.

When asked whether he would prefer to lead the debate during the plenary, Hon. Ihonvbere responded, “I think tomorrow will be the best.”

Ruling on the matter, the Deputy Speaker said:

“The debate on this particular bill will commence tomorrow with the Majority Leader in charge. Honourable members are encouraged to study the budget and then by tomorrow we’ll look at it, so that you can present your debate.”

The debate is expected to set the tone for legislative scrutiny of the Federal Government’s fiscal plans for 2026.