President Bola Tinubu has sent the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) 2026 statutory budget proposal to the House of Representatives for consideration and approval.
The proposal was contained in a letter dated August 20, 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas. The National Assembly received the letter on September 24.
Tinubu said the budget was prepared by the Minister of Niger Delta Development in line with Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires budget estimates to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
According to the President, the proposal was based on the NDDC’s expected revenue and expenditure and was designed to support the Federal Government’s fiscal and development policies, including the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the proposal also considered the 2024–2026 Economic Recovery Growth Plan and the key assumptions underpinning the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Tinubu said the commission’s spending priorities for 2026 would focus on areas that could improve living conditions and reduce poverty across the Niger Delta.
The priority areas include youth empowerment, energy and power supply, education, industrial and enterprise development, healthcare, security and agricultural productivity.
“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 said.
Tinubu expressed confidence that lawmakers would consider and pass the proposal promptly.
The submission comes as the National Assembly begins reviewing statutory budget proposals from government agencies ahead of the 2026 fiscal year.
The NDDC oversees development programmes in the nine Niger Delta states, including projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and human capital development.
