Nigerians Deserve More Than Just Budget Figures – Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the proposed ₦58.18tn 2026 budget delivers tangible benefits to ordinary Nigerians. Reacting to the budget presentation, Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that the focus should be on outcomes rather than just headline figures.

“The size of the budget alone cannot resolve our development challenges,” she said, stressing that citizens expect improved living standards through job creation, functional infrastructure, affordable healthcare, and quality education.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, has consistently advocated for fiscal transparency and people-centred budgeting. Her remarks echo wider concerns that Nigeria’s budgets have yet to deliver commensurate improvements in welfare and social stability.

President Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill, projecting a cautiously improving economy and pledging stricter budget discipline. He cited economic growth of 3.98% in Q3 2025 and easing inflation as evidence of progress.

Lawmakers like Akpoti-Uduaghan insist the budget’s success will be measured by its real-world impact on Nigerian households and communities.