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The National Assembly resumed plenary on Tuesday with lawmakers setting their sights on two major national priorities, the ongoing constitution review process and deliberations on the 2026 federal budget.
Both chambers, the Senate and House of Representatives, reconvened after their annual recess, with renewed emphasis on strengthening governance, fiscal responsibility, and institutional reform.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his opening remarks, said the legislative agenda for the final quarter of the year would focus on accelerating key national reforms, including the constitution review, electoral law amendments, and economic recovery legislation.
“We are returning to a very critical legislative calendar,” Akpabio stated. “Our people expect results, and we must respond with diligence, patriotism, and urgency. The constitution review and the 2026 budget will define our impact as a National Assembly.”
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, revealed that extensive consultations with citizens and interest groups had been completed, paving the way for the drafting of amendment bills.
He explained that the review would address issues such as local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, gender inclusion, and judicial independence. “This is a people-driven process. We want a constitution that reflects the realities of Nigeria today and prepares the country for the future,” Kalu said.
Lawmakers are also expected to begin early deliberations on the 2026 Appropriation Bill once it is presented by President Bola Tinubu later this month. Both chambers have pledged to prioritise efficiency and transparency in budget scrutiny to ensure that allocations align with national priorities.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Solomon Olamilekan, assured that the budget process would focus on economic diversification, job creation, and social investment. “We are determined to pass a budget that delivers measurable impact, particularly in infrastructure, education, and healthcare,” he said.
Meanwhile, Akpabio urged all committees to intensify oversight of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to ensure compliance with existing laws and prudent use of public funds. “Oversight is not persecution; it is our constitutional duty to guarantee accountability,” he added.
House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the legislature must remain united in pursuing national progress above partisan divides. “Our citizens are watching. They want performance, not politics. We owe them a responsible, people-centred National Assembly,” he said.
Analysts have noted that the coming months will be decisive for both chambers, as they attempt to balance legislative reforms with preparations for the 2026 budget cycle, a process expected to set the tone for Nigeria’s economic direction in the coming year.
