President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday called for sustained unity and cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly.
Delivering his address at the session, Akpabio described the budget presentation as more than a constitutional exercise, saying it was a defining national moment to reflect on Nigeria’s priorities, responsibilities, and shared future. He welcomed President Tinubu to the National Assembly, describing the parliament as the President’s “political birthplace” where his leadership was tested and refined.
The Senate President dismissed criticisms of the collaborative relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive, stressed that history consistently shown that nations make progress when institutions work together in the national interest. He cited examples from the United States, Britain, and other historical settings to illustrate how executive–legislative cooperation drives reform, stability, and development, while rivalry often leads to stagnation.
According to Akpabio, budgets are a clear reflection of a nation’s values and aspirations, noting that the 2026 Appropriation Bill represented a statement of intent and a roadmap for Nigeria’s continued renewal. He acknowledged the economic and security challenges confronting Nigerians, including the rising cost of living and insecurity, but insisted that the country has always shown resilience in the face of adversity.
The Senate President commended the Tinubu administration for the courage shown in implementing reforms under the 2025 Budget, despite public scepticism and criticism. He said those difficult decisions were already yielding results, including improved government revenues, better public finance management, and increased investments in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and human capital.
Akpabio also highlighted the legislative achievements of the Tenth Senate, noting that it had recorded one of the highest levels of legislative output in Nigeria’s history. He said landmark laws passed by the Senate have strengthened the security architecture, improved fiscal discipline, modernised governance and judicial processes, enhanced electoral integrity, and laid the legal foundation for infrastructure development and social protection.
While acknowledging that progress must still translate into tangible prosperity for all Nigerians, the Senate President assured citizens that lawmakers remain deeply conscious of the human cost of insecurity and economic hardship. He pledged that the National Assembly would continue to strengthen legal and budgetary frameworks to support security agencies and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
Akpabio further praised President Tinubu’s swift response to the defence of democracy in the Benin Republic, describing it as a moment that made Nigerians and democrats worldwide proud.
Reaffirming the National Assembly’s commitment to partnership, the Senate President assured Nigerians that lawmakers would scrutinise the 2026 budget to ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest and supports long-term national prosperity. He concluded by formally inviting President Tinubu to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Joint Sitting.
