By Gloria Ikibah
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the 2026 statutory budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the House of Representatives for consideration and passage.
The proposal was contained in a letter dated August 20, 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and received by the National Assembly on September 24. 
In the letter, Tinubu said the budget proposal was prepared by the Minister of Niger Delta Development in accordance with Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the submission of budget estimates to the National Assembly for consideration.
According to the President, the proposal was based on the NDDC’s projected revenue and expenditure and aligned with the fiscal and development policies of the Federal Government and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the proposal also took into account the 2024–2026 Economic Recovery Growth Plan and key assumptions underpinning the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Tinubu said the NDDC’s spending priorities for 2026 would focus on sectors aimed at improving living conditions and reducing poverty across the Niger Delta.
The President listed youth empowerment, energy and power supply, education, industrial and enterprise development, healthcare, security and increased agricultural productivity among the priority areas.
Tinubu said: “The House of Representatives is invited to note that the NDDC is prioritising improvement in Youth Empowerment, Energy and Power Supply, Education, Industrial and Enterprise Development, Health, Security and increased productivity in Agriculture in order to lift a significant number of our citizens out of poverty”.
The President expressed confidence that the House will give the proposal timely consideration and passage.
The submission comes as the National Assembly begins consideration of statutory budget proposals from government agencies ahead of the 2026 fiscal year.
The NDDC is responsible for coordinating development interventions across the nine Niger Delta states, with its programmes covering infrastructure, human capital development, healthcare, education, agriculture and other sectors.
