“Beyond the Numbers: Nigerians Call for Real Results from Tinubu’s ₦58.18 trn Budget”

Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan made it clear that the massive ₦58.18 trillion budget President Bola Tinubu unveiled for 2026 will be judged by what it delivers on the ground, not by the size of the figure alone. Speaking after the budget presentation, the Kogi Central lawmaker said Nigerians are looking for tangible improvements: steady jobs, reliable power, better hospitals, quality schools and functional roads. She warned that a big budget means nothing if it doesn’t translate into a better life for ordinary citizens.

Akpoti‑Uduaghan stressed that accountability must be a two‑way street. “Leaders must do better, and citizens must keep demanding results,” she said, urging both the government and the public to hold each other to higher standards. She added that fiscal transparency and prudent management are essential if the budget is to turn lofty projections into real, felt outcomes for households across the country.

The senator’s remarks echo a growing chorus of voices calling for people‑centred budgeting. While the administration points to recent economic gains—such as a 3.98 % growth rate and easing inflation—lawmakers like Akpoti‑Uduaghan insist that the true test will be in the everyday experiences of Nigerians, not just macroeconomic indicators.

As the National Assembly begins deliberations, the focus is shifting from headline numbers to how the funds will be deployed to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and strengthen health and education services. The challenge now is to turn the budget’s ambitious totals into visible, lasting impact for the people.