Ahead of today’s  presentation  of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the Management of the  lawmaking body strengthened  security around the complex.

The exercise, which was earlier scheduled to hold yesterday (Tuesday) was shifted to today.

The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved N47.96trillion estimated expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year.

At yesterday’s plenary , the House of Representatives whose chambers will be for the joint sitting moved a motion suspending its relevant rules to admit the President and his entourage into the hallowed chambers.

The motion also admitted Senators into the chambers of the House for the purpose of a joint session.

Moving the motion, House leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere said: “I do move that the House, pursuant to Order 6, Rule 4 (1) and (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit into the Chamber, the President, Commander–In–Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, the President of the Senate, Senators of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria, Ministers, Government Officials and other dignitaries on Wednesday 18 December 2024 to receive an address from the President on the 2025 budget estimates”.

Apart from beefing up security with reinforcements from security agencies, all business operators and ancillary service providers like banks and food vendors have been told not to open for business today by the management of the complex.

Visitors and non-essential staff members of the National Assembly have also been told to stay home till after the presentation of the budget.

Only staff members on essential duty and with accreditation are expected to report to work, while only a few reporters would also be allowed.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio is expected to preside over the joint session along side the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.

Tomorrow’s presentation will be President Tinubu’s second budget estimate to the National Assembly since the assumption of office on May 29, last year.

The Medium Term Expenditure Frame and Fiscal Strategy Paper on which the budget preparation is based has been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.