The National Assembly has delayed its return to plenary, which was initially fixed for Tuesday, February 24, moving it to March 5 instead.
In a statement issued by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the legislature explained that the adjustment would allow committees to wrap up ongoing budget defence exercises.
The statement read, “This is to inform Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly that the resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 24th February 2026 has been postponed.
“This postponement is to enable Committees of the Assembly to conclude ongoing budget defence sessions. Plenary will now reconvene in both chambers on Thursday, 5th March 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
“Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are kindly requested to take note of the new resumption date and time. The Leadership regrets any inconvenience the postponement may have caused.”
The most recent plenary was held on Tuesday, February 17, convened as a special sitting for what leaders described as “crucial deliberations.” Earlier, the House of Representatives conducted its seventh sitting of the 24th session on February 12, 2026, in line with its legislative timetable.
With the postponement, lawmakers are expected to continue committee-level work, especially budget defence sessions, until plenary reconvenes on March 5.
The development comes amid increased examination of the Federal Government’s fiscal projections. Last Thursday, the Senate engaged members of the government’s economic team over concerns about the implementation of the 2025 budget and questioned the viability of the proposed ₦58.7 trillion 2026 budget, hinting at a possible review.
During a budget defence session, legislators referenced complaints about unpaid contractors, insufficient capital releases, issues surrounding a centralised payment system, and the growing public debt profile.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, responded to inquiries from senators, while the Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, admitted that past budgets were based on unrealistic assumptions and called for more reliable revenue forecasts.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, also raised questions about the executive’s confidence in delivering the 2026 proposal.
In reply, the Finance Ministry said Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been instructed to submit cash plans to clear outstanding obligations and assured lawmakers that disbursements under the 2025 budget would begin immediately or within days. The committee later proceeded into a closed-door session.