President Tinubu to table 2027 budget and $21.7bn investment plan before year‑end

President Bola Tinubu is set to deliver the 2027 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly before the close of 2026, officials said on Wednesday. The announcement came from Doris Uzoka‑Anite, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, who briefed State House correspondents after a Federal Executive Council meeting. She indicated that the administration is already assembling the proposal and expects to present it to lawmakers before 31 December.

Alongside the budget timetable, the government reaffirmed its endorsement of the National Development Plan 2026‑2030 and introduced new legal frameworks aimed at reducing child stunting and improving national food security. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele also clarified that the $21.7 billion borrowing proposal transmitted to the Assembly is intended for asset investment rather than immediate spending, outlining a five‑year multi‑year plan.

Background

The $21.7 billion plan, described by Oyedele as a multi‑year investment programme, allocates $10.6 billion to critical transport projects. These include the Sokoto‑Badagry Highway, the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway and the Kano‑Kaduna Metro Rail. Funding for over $7.9 billion of the loan is expected to come from multilateral and bilateral development partners, led by a $5 billion contribution from the World Bank, at an average interest rate of 2.1 percent. The government emphasised that favourable financing terms are being pursued to minimise borrowing costs and ensure lasting economic benefits.

In parallel, the administration highlighted recent social‑programme achievements. More than 10 million households have received over N600 billion in cash transfers, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has disbursed N372.6 billion to over 1.5 million students, and more than 800 000 micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises have accessed subsidised loans at single‑digit interest rates.

Why it matters

The timing of the budget presentation allows the National Assembly to begin scrutiny ahead of the 2027 fiscal year, potentially shaping legislative priorities and fiscal oversight. The transport investments target key corridors that could enhance trade, reduce logistics costs and stimulate regional integration. Low‑interest financing from the World Bank and other partners aims to keep debt servicing manageable, a concern given Nigeria’s broader fiscal challenges.

Social programmes cited by the ministers affect a substantial portion of the population: cash transfers reach millions of households, education loans support over a million students, and subsidised credit benefits hundreds of thousands of SMEs. These measures are presented as part of the government’s strategy to mitigate poverty, improve human capital and foster private‑sector growth.

What happens next

The budget and investment plan will be tabled before the end of December, after which the National Assembly is expected to commence deliberations. Lawmakers will review the allocation of funds, the terms of external borrowing and the accompanying legal frameworks for child nutrition and food security. No specific dates for parliamentary debate or approval have been announced, but the timeline suggests that discussions will continue into early 2027 before the fiscal year begins.