President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the Senate will pass the 2026 Appropriation Bill on March 31, when lawmakers reconvene from the Sallah recess.

Akpabio made the announcement during plenary on Thursday shortly before the upper chamber adjourned for the break. He noted that despite the recess, Senate committees would continue their work, particularly on budget defence sessions and coordination with the Committee on Appropriations.

The Senate President urged the leadership of the chamber to ensure that the Appropriations Committee harmonises its report on the N58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal before the Senate resumes sitting.

“I hope the leader will put pressure on the Committee on Appropriations to harmonise the report of the 2026 appropriation bill by that date,” Akpabio said.

“This is so that when we resume, we can try our best to pass the budget without requiring further concurrence or harmonisation.”

He stressed the need for collaboration among Senate leaders to ensure the budget process is completed within the planned timeline.

“Leadership must work together to ensure everything is in order,” he added, noting that the House of Representatives has also adjourned to allow lawmakers conclude work on the budget and will reconvene on March 31.

Earlier, the Senate Committee on Appropriations fixed March 17 for the final consideration of the N58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill. As part of the process, the committee scheduled February 2 to February 13 for budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in December, stating that the spending plan prioritises economic stability, infrastructure development, security, and social investment.

The Senate has since passed the appropriation bill for first and second readings as part of the legislative process.