By Ade Oyeyemi
President Bola Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to approve the Niger Delta Development Commission’s 2026 statutory budget, with youth empowerment, electricity, education, healthcare, security and agriculture among its key priorities.
Tinubu made the request in a letter dated August 20, 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in which he transmitted the NDDC’s proposed spending plan to the chamber for consideration.
The President said the budget proposal was prepared by the Minister of Niger Delta Development in accordance with Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution.
“In line with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Development has prepared the 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC, which is herewith forwarded for consideration and passage by the House of Representatives,” Tinubu stated.
According to the President, the proposal was based on the commission’s projected revenue and expenditure and aligned with the Federal Government’s fiscal policies and development priorities, including the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that the spending plan also took into consideration the 2024–2026 Economic Recovery Growth Plan and assumptions underpinning the Federal Government’s 2026 Appropriation Act.
Tinubu said the proposed interventions were designed to address longstanding development challenges in the Niger Delta while creating greater economic opportunities for residents of the region.
“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,” he said.
The priorities cover infrastructure and human capital development, areas central to the NDDC’s mandate of implementing projects and programmes aimed at addressing the developmental needs of oil-producing communities.
The commission’s interventions have included projects in roads, education, healthcare, water supply, skills acquisition, agriculture and other areas of community development.
The emphasis on youth empowerment and enterprise development comes amid concerns over unemployment, skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities across the Niger Delta.
Similarly, the focus on electricity, agriculture and infrastructure is aimed at supporting economic activities and improving access to essential services in communities across the region.
Tinubu called on the lawmakers to give the proposal prompt consideration and passage.
“While I look forward to the timely passage of the 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC by the House of Representatives, please accept, Rt Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest regards,” the President said.
The budget proposal will undergo legislative scrutiny before the House takes further action on its passage. The 2026 NDDC budget had also featured in National Assembly budget proceedings earlier in the year, with TheCable reporting that the House approved an NDDC budget of N1.75tn in May.
