President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to present the 2027 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly before the end of December 2026, as the Federal Government intensifies preparations for the next fiscal year. The announcement came as the Federal Executive Council approved approximately 631.3 billion Naira for nine road infrastructure projects across Nigeria. The decisions were disclosed on Wednesday, October 28, following a council meeting chaired by Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Government officials said the new road investments were intended to strengthen transportation networks, improve connectivity between communities and support economic development. The announcements come amid continuing public concerns about infrastructure quality, government spending and the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, confirmed that work on the 2027 national budget was underway and that the administration intended to submit the proposal to lawmakers before the end of the year. She explained that the government was preparing the necessary fiscal documents to enable the National Assembly to begin examining the proposed expenditure framework. Although officials have indicated that the presentation could take place in December, no specific date has been formally announced. The budget is expected to outline federal revenue projections, spending priorities, capital expenditure and allocations to ministries, departments and agencies. Its eventual passage will depend on legislative scrutiny and approval by the National Assembly.
Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Doris Uzoka-Anite confirmed the government’s intention to present the 2027 budget before the end of 2026.
The latest announcement follows an earlier directive from the Budget Office of the Federation requiring government institutions to submit their personnel expenditure proposals for 2027. In a circular dated September 4, 2026, Budget Office Director-General Tanimu Yakubu instructed ministries, departments and agencies to submit their personnel cost estimates alongside their establishing legislation by September 18. The requirement was introduced as part of efforts to strengthen financial accountability and prevent unsupported payroll requests. Agencies not captured under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System or the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System were restricted from receiving personnel cost provisions. The measures are intended to improve the credibility of budget submissions and strengthen oversight of public spending.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the Federal Executive Council had approved approximately 631.3 billion Naira for nine road projects involving construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Umahi explained that the projects were selected to address important infrastructure gaps and improve the movement of passengers, agricultural products and commercial goods. According to the minister, improved road networks could strengthen links between producing communities and major markets while reducing transportation difficulties. The approvals form part of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope infrastructure programme. However, the approval of contract sums does not necessarily mean that all the funds have already been released or that construction has commenced on every project.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced federal approval for road projects intended to improve transportation and commercial activities.
Among the largest approved contracts is the reconstruction of the 95-kilometre Etuke–Okene–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi State, valued at approximately 167 billion Naira. The council also approved 209 billion Naira for the 81.1-kilometre Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti State, including a bridge. Another 62 billion Naira was approved for the Tungo–Karamti Road connecting Adamawa and Taraba states, with five bridges incorporated into the project. These routes were identified as important links for agricultural production, intercommunity movement and commercial activities. The government expects the projects to improve access to markets and essential services, although the actual benefits will depend on timely construction, quality assurance and effective maintenance.
Additional approvals include 20.257 billion Naira for an 18-kilometre road linking the Ishiagu area to the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway and 30 billion Naira for remedial works on deteriorating sections of the East–West Road. The council also approved 11.33 billion Naira for the remaining section of the Bendel–Umuahia–Ohafia Road project in Abia State, following changes to its previous funding arrangement. In the Northwest, 28.218 billion Naira was allocated to rehabilitate a 17-kilometre section of the Sokoto–Illela Road. Other approved works include the Bichi Ring Road in Kano State and the Diko–Maje road link, which is intended to improve access between surrounding communities.
Umahi further disclosed that the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria highway had been completed, while work on the second section was approaching completion. According to the minister, 81 kilometres of the first section were constructed using reinforced concrete pavement within approximately 30 months. He said the second section, covering 164 kilometres, had only 16 kilometres of outstanding work at the time of the briefing. The government also plans to equip the entire 375-kilometre Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor with solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility and safety. These developments form part of ongoing efforts to modernise major federal highways that carry substantial passenger and commercial traffic between different regions of the country.
The October 28 meeting also considered longer-term development priorities as the government prepares its 2027 fiscal framework. Uzoka-Anite announced the Federal Executive Council’s endorsement of the National Development Plan for 2026 to 2030, which outlines strategies for improving productivity, investment, employment and social development. The government also approved a revised national food and nutrition policy and an executive bill intended to strengthen the coordination and financing of nutrition programmes. These initiatives reflect the administration’s stated intention to combine infrastructure spending with measures addressing human development and economic growth. However, the proposed National Nutrition Bill will still require legislative consideration before becoming law, while the broader development plan will depend on future funding and implementation.
The Federal Government also renewed attention to regional transportation integration through the proposed Lagos–Abidjan coastal highway, which is expected to link several West African countries. Umahi said transport ministers from participating countries would meet on Friday, October 30, to discuss the project’s financing arrangements. The proposed corridor stretches approximately 1,028 kilometres across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, with Nigeria accounting for about 79 kilometres between Tin Can Island and the Seme border. The African Development Bank is expected to play a financing role by providing loans to participating countries for their respective sections. If implemented, the corridor could facilitate regional trade and improve the movement of goods and passengers, although funding agreements and construction arrangements remain subject to further negotiations.
As of October 29, 2026, the Federal Executive Council has approved approximately 631.3 billion Naira for nine road infrastructure projects, while the government has confirmed its intention to present the 2027 national budget before the end of December. The precise budget presentation date and the total proposed expenditure have not yet been announced. The road approvals represent a significant commitment to improving transportation infrastructure, but attention will now shift to contract execution, funding, project supervision and accountability. Lawmakers will also be expected to examine the proposed 2027 budget in the context of Nigeria’s revenue outlook, existing obligations and development priorities. For citizens and businesses, the practical significance of the decisions will depend on whether approved investments translate into safer roads, reduced transportation difficulties, improved economic opportunities and more reliable public services.
