KEY POINTS
- National Assembly delays plenary to March 5.
- Move allows committees finish budget defence sessions.’
- National Assembly reviews 2026 Appropriation Bill.
Nigeria’s National Assembly has postponed plenary resumption to March 5 from February 24 to allow committees conclude ongoing budget defence sessions tied to the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, announced the change in a statement issued Monday, notifying senators and members of the House of Representatives of the revised schedule.
The adjustment further comes as lawmakers intensify scrutiny of ministries, departments and agencies presenting their spending proposals for the 2026 fiscal year.
National Assembly Postpones Plenary Resumption
Ogunlana said the decision followed the need to give committees additional time to complete engagements with government agencies.
“This is to inform Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly that the resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 24th February 2026 has been postponed,” the statement said.
The Clerk added that plenary will now reconvene in both chambers on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., urging lawmakers to take note of the new date and time.
Budget Defense Causes Delay
The Assembly has been looking over the 2026 Appropriation Bill, and several committees are still holding comprehensive budget defense hearings.
During these meetings, leaders of ministries and agencies explain why they want to spend money in certain ways and answer questions from lawmakers about how much money they expect to make and how they want to spend it.
Leaders introduced the delay to give committees time to complete their findings before plenary deliberations resume, describing it as a necessary step toward passing the budget. Legislative leaders apologised for any inconvenience the decision caused but stressed the importance of completing the review process thoroughly.
