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House Backs Tinubu’s N58tn 2026 Budget, Ihonbvere Says ‘Painful Reforms Are Unavoidable’
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…adjourn plenary till February 17, 2026
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives on Tuesday threw its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s 2026 Appropriation Bill, as House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, urged lawmakers to look beyond short-term discomfort and support what he described as a budget anchored on “consolidation, renewed resilience and shared prosperity”.
Leading the debate during plenary, Ihonbvere reminded members that the budget, formally titled “The Project of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience, and Shared Prosperity”, was presented to the National Assembly by President Tinubu on 19 December 2025, describing it as “a defining moment in our national journey”.
He said: “This is a journey to peace, growth, stability and sustainable development.
“We use the word development sometimes rather loosely. Development that is not sustainable is only temporary; it is not development at all. And you cannot have development without growth”.
The House Leader who acknowledged that the process of economic reform had been difficult, stressed that hardship was inevitable given what the administration inherited.
“The process of promoting growth is very challenging, difficult and painful. That is what we are going through.
“And it can be more painful if we inherited distorted and disarticulated institutions and structures of our politics and economy, which was exactly the case with the present administration”, he added.
Ihonbvere rejected suggestions that the government could simply wish away structural problems; and insisted, however, that the National Assembly had a duty to provide oversight.
“Nobody has ever promised that the journey of restructuring and repositioning our political economy will not be painless. Nobody has assumed that this administration went to space to bring a new set of Nigerians to make Nigeria a better place. It is the same Nigerians who were here before.
“I’m not saying they are saints or perfect.
“It is our job, as representatives of 360 constituencies, to guide them to do the right things at all times,” he said.
Defending the economic assumptions behind the 2026 budget, Ihonbvere pointed to recent macroeconomic indicators, and stated that Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.98 per cent ahead of the budget cycle, while inflation dropped to 14.45 per cent from about 25 per cent.
“Statistics can be good, sometimes they can mislead, and sometimes they may not reflect our dreams and hopes.
“But we can’t run away from statistics,” he said.
He cited increased revenues, rising exports and improved foreign direct investment, attributing part of the progress to Tinubu’s diplomatic push.
“We all see the activities of the President, moving from one country to the other, in the midst of winter, trying to sign strategic understandings,” he said, pointing to the President’s recent visit to Turkey as “an example of the kind of partnerships Nigeria needs”.
On currency stability, Ihonbvere said the naira had held firm around ₦1,400 to the dollar.
He also praised the government’s monetary restraint.
“Go and check the figures. From over ₦1,800, it is there at ₦1,400 today, as we speak.
“We have not printed a single naira since this government came into office. And to that extent, it has helped to stabilise the system,” he told lawmakers.
He added that external reserves had climbed to a seven-year high of about $47 billion, enough to cover over 10 months of imports.
Outlining the figures before the House, Ihonbvere said the 2026 budget projects total revenue of ₦34.33 trillion against expenditure of ₦58.18 trillion, leaving a deficit of ₦23.85 trillion. Recurrent non-debt spending is pegged at ₦15.25 trillion, while capital expenditure stands at ₦26.08 trillion.
“I think this is a mark of commitment to sustainable development, where capital is higher than recurrent expenditure.
“In many instances, recurrent spending outweighs capital. Most of the money goes into salaries and allowances, whereas capital is neglected,” he stated.
The budget assumes an oil benchmark of $64.85 per barrel and production of 1.84 million barrels per day. Key allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for security and defence, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.54 trillion for education and ₦2.48 trillion for health.
“This is a budget that prioritises security and food security.
“By the time you add police and other security expenditures, you can imagine where we are going,” Ihonbvere noted
He described the budget as both a promise and a test of collective resolve; calling for unity, he urged lawmakers to support the proposals.
“This is the dream of the government.
“I believe this administration is committed. I know many in his team are committed, and I know that those of us in the House are committed to ensuring these promises are implemented.
“It is in our collective interest.
“If we work together and commit to a better Nigeria, we can build an environment that allows Nigerians to reach the highest points of their creative and productive abilities.
“I invite my colleagues to support this budget as presented, to keep hope alive, and to recommit ourselves. We are part of the government. Let us join the executive in this budget of consolidation, renewed resilience and shared prosperity”, he said.
The House unanimously passed the bill when put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
He said: “Any contribution before we put the question? We all know that 70% of this budget we are talking about has already been debated earlier, in 2025, so there is very little that is new. If we are comfortable with the professorial introduction of this budget, we can go ahead and put the question.
“Those in support of this motion should say aye.
“Those against should say nay. The ayes have it”.
The House Leader, Rep. Ihonbvere, moved for the House to adjourn for two weeks to enable the committees to carry out budget defence sessions.
The House will resume plenary on February 17, 2026.
…Abbas pledge collaboration with opposition leaders to advance 10th Assembly’s legislative agenda
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has formally announced the completion of the minority leadership structure in the 10th House following the nomination and endorsement of three lawmakers to fill vacant principal officer positions.
Speaking during plenary, Abbas informed members that the minority caucus had unanimously agreed on the appointments through a consensus arrangement.
According to the Speaker, the nomination was conveyed to the House in line with the decision of minority members of the 10th Assembly.
He said: “The election of the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the minority members of the 10th Assembly hereby unanimously nominate the following members by consensus to fill the vacant positions of the minority in the parliament.”
Announcing the appointments, Abbas stated: “Number one, Minority Leader, Rt. Honourable Frederick Abedi PhD. Number two is the position of Minority Whip, and the person they have endorsed is no other than Honourable Monsur Soro.
He added: “The last but not the least is my brother from the northwest, in person of Rt. Honourable Abdusamadu Dasuki, the position of Deputy Minority Leader.”
Following the announcement, the Speaker congratulated the newly appointed principal officers and expressed confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to the work of the House.
He also assured the new opposition leaders of the support of the House leadership as they assume their responsibilities.
“So honourable colleagues, today the body of principal officers is complete, and I want to seize this opportunity on behalf of the whole entire house to congratulate the three people and to wish them all the best in their new positions.
“And let them be assured that the leadership of the house will work with them assiduously in ensuring that we achieve our legislative agenda objectives of this very important 10th Assembly,” Abbas said.
The Speaker wished members well and prayed for continued success in the work of the legislature.
“May God bless you all”, he concluded.
Finally the first set of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.
The Air Peace flight carrying the returnees arrived at the airport around 10:25 am on Thursday.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, among others, was on hand to welcome the 258 evacuees who were escorted by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by the Acting High Commissioner, Temitope Ajayi.
Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria will not stand idly by while its citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment wherever they may be in the world; hence, the swift and necessary action to bring them home.
In a statement following their arrival, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, quoted Enikanolaiye as commending the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria.
He urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding and vigilant and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission. The minister said that the Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these incidents.
The minister conveyed the heartfelt greetings and assurances of President Bola Tinubu to the returning nationals.
“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” the statement read in part. “More flights carrying returnees are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days as the evacuation exercise continues.”
The returning nationals are undergoing the process of documentation, profiling, and necessary medical checks and will be provided with temporary accommodation before being reunited with their families, the ministry said.
Anti-foreigner violence has convulsed South Africa for weeks as gangs armed with sticks, whips, and shields have marched through parts of the “rainbow nation”, demanding that people with no residency papers leave by June 30.
Foreign nationals have reported being intimidated and beaten by mobs going door to door, families have been forced from their homes, and many have left in the face of the threats.
Ghana, Mozambique, and Malawi have already repatriated hundreds of their citizens in recent weeks.
South Africa is Africa’s largest economy and hosts more than three million foreigners, just over five per cent of its population, according to the country’s statistics agency.
…Enikanolaiye says rescue mission reflects Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad
By Gloria Ikibah
The first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived safely in the country, with the Federal Government describing the operation as a clear demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians wherever they reside.
The returnees landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning aboard a special Air Peace flight arranged and fully funded by the Federal Government.
The evacuees, who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria led by Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, were received on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and reassurance, stressing that the safety and dignity of Nigerians abroad remain a top priority for the administration.
He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world, hence the swift and necessary action to bring our people home.”
The minister noted that the evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Immigration Service and security agencies.
According to the ministry, the operation underscores the government’s determination to protect Nigerians from violence, discrimination and intimidation abroad.
The statement stressed that the evacuation should not be interpreted as a retreat but rather as a proactive intervention aimed at safeguarding citizens caught in a difficult situation.
“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” he added.
Enikanolaiye also commended the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria for its role in ensuring the successful evacuation of the affected citizens.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria remains in active diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of Nigerians still residing in the country.
“I commend the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and urge all Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission.
“The Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these unfortunate incidents”, he stated.
The returnees are currently undergoing documentation, profiling and medical screening, after which they will receive temporary accommodation and other forms of assistance before being reunited with their families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to bring home Nigerians affected by the attacks.
The ministry also appealed for calm while diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis are intensified.
The latest evacuation follows renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have periodically faced attacks, harassment and threats in recent years.
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