Tinubu forwards NDDC 2026 budget to Senate as lawmakers go on another break

The Senate Tuesday received from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 2026 statutory budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for consideration, with the proposal targeting youth empowerment, power, education, healthcare, security and agricultural productivity in the oil-producing region.

The budget proposal, which was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers resumed plenary after their recess, is aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 2024–2026 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who read the President’s communication on the floor, referred the proposal to the Senate Committee on Regional Development for consideration.

In a related development, Tinubu asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Dr Abdullahi Maikano Saidu as Chairman of the Board of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), 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 communication was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for consideration and report within two weeks.

Similarly, Tinubu nominated Engineer Sani Ndanusa as Non-Career Ambassador and High Commissioner-designate to The Gambia.

The nomination, made pursuant to Section 171(2)(c) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.

In another communication, the President sought the confirmation of Engineer Wakili Bukar as a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission representing Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states for a second and final five-year term.

The nomination was referred to the Committee on Establishment for consideration.

Tinubu also transmitted the National Postgraduate Medical College Amendment Bill, 2026, to the Senate for consideration.

The proposed legislation seeks to rename the institution and expand its mandate to enable it 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.

Furthermore, the President 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 under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

The proposed fund is expected to receive direct funding from the Nigerian Content Development Fund and is aimed at strengthening collaboration among research agencies, academia and the private sector, as well as promoting the commercialisation of locally developed technologies.

The President said the initiative would help “drive the commercialisation of homegrown technologies to reduce foreign technological dependency.”

Meanwhile, the Senate was informed that Tinubu had assented to the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Amendment Bill, 2026, which has now become law.

The Red Chamber subsequently proceeded on another 2 week break. Making the announcement, Akpabio added that the Senate’s security summit will hold on the 12th and 13th of October, 2026.