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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged the Federal Government to ensure that budgets translate beyond mere figures to tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, stressing that Nigeria’s annual appropriations will continue to fall short unless they deliver measurable impact across communities.
She said this while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the N58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly on Friday.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central said Nigeria’s development challenges cannot be solved by numbers alone, stating, “Of all the lengthy speeches, one line by Mr President struck me deeply, ‘It’s not the size of the budget but the quanta of impact felt by Nigerians.’”
President Tinubu had noted that the budget, the largest in the nation’s history, aims to sustain ongoing reforms and promote inclusive development despite prevailing inflationary pressures and fiscal constraints.
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But Akpoti-Uduaghan cautioned that beyond the impressive figures, what matters is whether Nigerians will feel the results in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
“The proposed N58.18 trillion budget may reflect the scale of our national ambitions, but citizens are far more concerned with how these provisions translate into better living standards, sustainable jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and accessible social services,” she said.
She further emphasised that accountability in governance must be a shared responsibility between leaders and the electorate.
“Leaders must do better, and citizens must demand accountability,” she added.
