The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced an extensive review of the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with lawmakers outlining priority areas and raising critical questions on funding, taxation and project continuity.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had on 25 November 2025 laid before the legislature the 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity, a fiscal plan built on four pillars: poverty eradication, a people-centred governance approach, strengthened infrastructure and enhanced institutional effectiveness. The spending proposal is framed as a tool to deepen economic resilience, expand opportunities and foster a safer, more inclusive Lagos.
Leading the deliberations, Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, said the fiscal proposal is structured to consolidate the developmental gains recorded since the governor assumed office in 2019. He stressed that the budget is intended to ensure all ongoing projects are fully funded to avoid leaving uncompleted initiatives for the next administration.
Olumoh urged lawmakers to subject the proposals from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to rigorous scrutiny before forwarding their recommendations to the committee, noting that careful legislative oversight remains central to effective implementation.
Majority Leader Hon. Noheem Adams commended the House leadership and argued that the document reflects the evolving competence of the state. According to him, governments that prioritise capital expenditure demonstrate responsibility and strategic foresight. He added that once approved, the 2026 budget would further stimulate Lagos’ economy and strengthen the state’s growth trajectory.
However, some lawmakers highlighted areas of concern.
Hon. Ajomale Oladipo questioned the potential impact of recent tax reforms on budget performance, particularly in the context of Lagos’ rising internally generated revenue, which he noted has reached 70 per cent. He urged a careful assessment of how new tax measures may affect both citizens and fiscal outcomes.
In his contribution, Hon. Desmond Elliot described the proposal as one capable of addressing the needs of residents. He called for deliberate prioritisation of infrastructural renewal, especially the rehabilitation of inner roads across communities. Elliot also pressed for enhanced efforts toward environmental sanitation.
Security funding featured prominently in the discussions as Hon. Osafile Foluke appealed for greater allocations to the sector to address emerging security challenges across the state and the country.
Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, emphasised the need for meticulous scrutiny of appropriation details to ensure alignment with the budget’s stated goals. He also urged improved investment in the education sector as a safeguard for the future of young Lagosians.
Similarly, Hon. Bonu Solomon underscored tourism and infrastructure as viable pathways for increasing the state’s internally generated revenue, urging stronger commitments in those areas.
Following the exhaustive debate, the Assembly committed the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Committee on Economic Planning and Budget for further examination. The committee is expected to report back to the House within five weeks.
