2026 Budget: Senate Urges NCDC to Focus on Agriculture, Security Investments

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senate has called on the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) to prioritise investments in agriculture and security in the execution of its 2026 budget.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC, Titus Zam, made the appeal when the commission’s management team appeared before the committee to defend its 2026 budget estimates.

The committee moved into an executive session at the commencement of the budget defence to deliberate on the commission’s proposals.
Speaking after the executive session, Zam said:
“We have examined all the items contained in the estimates and found them relevant and beneficial to the North-Central region.
“As the committee overseeing this commission, we have asked that expenditures be prioritised in line with its mandate so that the people of the North-Central region can fully benefit and derive value from the resources allocated.”
He explained that the commission’s development mandate must address critical sectors of the economy rather than exist in isolation. These sectors, he said, include agriculture, security, health, education, public infrastructure, and other essential social services.
“The North-Central zone is predominantly agrarian, so agriculture must take precedence, and it has been clearly reflected in the budget.
“They are also considering collaboration with security experts and other stakeholders in the region to support security agencies in delivering on their responsibilities,” he added.
However, Zam expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the capital component of the commission’s 2025 budget, noting that the challenge was part of broader national implementation issues experienced during the fiscal year.
According to him, the committee reviewed the total estimate of N140 billion proposed for the 2026 financial year and approved it for appropriation in the interest of the region.
“This is the resolution of the committee. We hereby approve the total sum of N140 billion for the commission’s 2026 financial year,” he stated.