Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed N58.18 trillion 2026 budget, urging that the Appropriation Bill deliver tangible benefits to ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking during the budget presentation at the joint sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, the lawmaker described the occasion as significant but cautioned against focusing solely on headline figures without ensuring measurable outcomes.
“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.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that while the N58.18 trillion spending plan reflects the scale of Nigeria’s economic ambitions and structural challenges, citizens are primarily concerned with how government resources translate into real improvements in their daily lives.
She emphasized that Nigerians expect budgets to deliver sustainable job creation, functional infrastructure, affordable healthcare, quality education, and accessible social services, rather than remaining impressive numbers on paper.
The senator’s remarks underscore the growing call for fiscal policies that prioritize measurable social and economic impact over numerical projections, reinforcing the need for accountability in public spending.
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