FCT to Spend N1.81trn in 2025 as Senate Approves Budget

By Zainab Rauf  The Senate on Wednesday passed the 2025 FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill, authorising a total expenditure of about N1.81 tri...

By Zainab Rauf 

The Senate on Wednesday passed the 2025 FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill, authorising a total expenditure of about N1.81 trillion for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the 2025 fiscal year after a third reading.

The passage followed the presentation of the joint committee report by Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, which reviewed and harmonised input from both chambers in accordance with sections 62, 80, 88, 89, and 299 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to the report, the total statutory budget will be sourced from projected revenues for the year.

The budget structure comprises personnel costs of N150.35 billion (8.29 per cent), overhead costs of N352.03 billion (19.41 per cent), and capital expenditure of N1.31 trillion (72.31 per cent).

The total recurrent expenditure, comprising personnel and overhead stands at N502.38 billion, while capital projects will take the largest share of the budget.

The committees explained that the budget was formulated after extensive consultations with the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, and key officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The spending plan is expected to drive infrastructural development, improve service delivery, and address the growing needs of residents of Abuja and its satellite towns.

Mr Wike had during the budget defence at the Senate last Wednesday expressed concern over worsening security and healthcare challenges in the FCT, calling for urgent and coordinated national intervention.

He also stressed the critical role of Abuja as the seat of power and a diplomatic hub—one that requires a unique and strategic security framework.

In the healthcare sector, Mr Wike announced the recent acquisition of modern diagnostic equipment aimed at enhancing public health services throughout the FCT.

The FCT minister said the equipment represents a significant step forward in the FCT Administration’s broader plan to improve access to quality medical care.

Business Post reports that unlike other states with a House Assembly, since Abuja is without its own state government, its budget has to be passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, which acts as both the legislative and oversight authority of the FCT.