The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on Bola Tinubu to ensure that the proposed ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill translates into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Reacting to Tinubu’s budget presentation at a joint sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the session as significant but cautioned against focusing solely on headline figures at the expense of real outcomes.
She warned that fiscal size alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s deep-rooted development challenges.
“Of all the lengthy speeches, one line by Mr President struck me deeply. It’s not the size of the budget but the quantum of impact felt by Nigerians,” she said.
The senator noted that while the projected ₦58.18 trillion spending plan reflects the scale of the nation’s economic ambitions and structural problems, citizens are primarily concerned with how government expenditure translates into practical improvements in their daily lives.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Nigerians expect budgets to deliver enhanced living standards through sustainable job creation, functional infrastructure, affordable healthcare, quality education, and accessible social services, rather than remain impressive figures on paper.
She further emphasised the need for shared accountability in governance, highlighting that public scrutiny is essential to achieving meaningful outcomes.
“Leaders must do better, and citizens must demand accountability,” she stressed.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently championed fiscal transparency, prudent management of public resources, and people-centred budgeting — positions aligned with the growing public demand for measurable governance outcomes that directly affect grassroots communities.
Her remarks echoed broader concerns within and outside the National Assembly that Nigeria’s annual budgets, though increasingly large, have yet to deliver proportional improvements in welfare, productivity, and social stability.
Tinubu, in his presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, projected a cautiously improving economy while pledging stricter budget discipline and enhanced revenue enforcement across government agencies.
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