From David Onuoja Abuja
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, has applauded the presentation of 2026 budget but however, urged the citizens to be ready to demand for accountability from their leaders.
She made the statement after the presentation of the budget by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, where she called on all the citizens of Nigeria to beam their searchlight on their leaders; ensuring the dividends of democracy.
President Tinubu’s budget presentation, delivered before senators, members of the House of Representatives, principal officers of the legislature, and top government functionaries, underscored the administration’s priorities for economic stabilisation, growth stimulation, infrastructural development, and social welfare enhancement, against the backdrop of persistent inflationary pressures and fiscal constraints.
Senator Natasha, described the budget session as significant but cautioned that Nigeria’s developmental challenges cannot be solved by figures alone.
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According to her, “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.”, She said.
She further noted that while the proposed ₦58.18 trillion budget reflects the magnitude of Nigeria’s challenges and national ambitions, ordinary citizens are far more concerned with how budgetary provisions translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives.
“Nigerians expect budgets to result in better living standards, sustainable job creation, functional infrastructure, affordable healthcare, quality education, and accessible social services, rather than remain impressive figures on paper.
“Accountability in governance is a shared responsibility, both public office holders and the citizenry to play their respective roles. Leaders must do better, and citizens must demand accountability,” she stressed.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, has been a consistent advocate for fiscal transparency, prudent management of public resources, and people-centred budgeting. Her remarks resonated with growing public calls for governance that are not only measurable but also felt at the grassroots level across the country.
As the debates on the 2026 Appropriation Bill will commence soon, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the record-breaking budget will deliver meaningful and equitable impact across communities, validating the President’s assertion that the true value of a budget lies not in its size, but in its effect on the lives of the people.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday presented a historic ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, setting out the fiscal roadmap of the Federal Government amid heightened expectations for economic relief, improved service delivery, and measurable governance outcomes.
