Tinubu seeks Senate approval forN1.783trn as FCT budget

.As FCTA takes over gaming regulation, assures on stability

FAVOURITE ISHEMBER, Abuja and IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja

 President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for the proposed N1.783 trillion 2025 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA.

Tinubu, in a communication to the Red Chamber and read by its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday, appealed for expeditious consideration and passage of the budget, which he said was critical to ensuring an effective and service-oriented administration for residents of the FCT.

“Pursuant to section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which vests legislative powers over the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly, I hereby present the 2025 FCT budget proposal to the Senate for consideration.

“The 2025 FCT budget proposal prioritises investment in health care services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services, and education infrastructure, as well as increasing productivity in agriculture,” the President stated.

To sustain the ongoing efforts at providing basic infrastructure and social amenities in the FCT, he said  that 85 per cent of the capital expenditure was dedicated to the completion of ongoing projects, while 15 per cent was earmarked for new capital projects.

Responding to the request, the Senate invoked Order 78 to allow the bill to scale second reading the same day it was introduced

Leading the debate on the bill, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), explained that the proposed legislation seeks to authorise the issuance of N1,783,823,708,392.00k from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to finance personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

He gave the budget breakdown as N150.35 billion for personnel costs, N343.78 billion for overhead, and N1.29 trillion allocated for capital projects.

Senator Bamidele said the primary objective of the budget was to drive an effective and enduring service-oriented administration, with a strong focus on completing ongoing projects that have significant impacts on infrastructure and essential services in Abuja.

He noted that the budget prioritises the continuation of existing projects in the FCT, with the introduction of new ones deemed crucial.

All the Senators, who contributed to the debate on the general principles of the Appropriation Bill, commended President Tinubu and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike for the rapid infrastructural development of the Territory within two years in office and called for more provision of social amenities in the satellite towns.

However, The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has commenced regulation and oversight of the gaming industry within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to boost revenue generation mechanisms,

following a directive from the Honourable Minister.

 The Director General, FCT Lottery Regulations Office, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, made this known at a press conference, citing a landmark Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the FCT Administration’s authority to regulate lottery and gaming activities within the territory.

Gbajabiamila assured existing operators that the commission is committed to providing stability, clarity, and continuity in its regulatory approach, and that all previously issued gaming licenses and permits remain valid and enforceable within the FCT.

 The DG who also encouraged licensed operators to engage with the commission as it navigates this transition, said the commission’s mandate includes collaborating with the office of the Honourable Minister and the FCT Internal Revenue Service to ensure proper regulatory oversight and effective gaming remittance, establishing a robust regulatory framework, creating an enabling environment for investment and fair play, and strengthening revenue generation mechanisms.

Gbajabiamila announced that the FCT Lottery Regulatory Office is open for business, inviting prospective operators to submit applications for an FCT Gaming License. He emphasized that the initiative has the full endorsement of the Honourable Minister, who is committed to regulatory excellence and economic development.

” I wish to emphasise that this initiative has the full endorsement of the Honourable Minister of the FCT. His commitment to regulatory excellence and economic development ensures that the FCT gaming industry will bloom and contribute significantly to the FCT’s internally generated revenue (IGR) while maintaining high governance standards”.

The commission’s goal is to build an equitable, sustainable, and advantageous industry for all stakeholders, and Gbajabiamila urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission in good faith and compliance as it embarks on this journey.

“to all stakeholders, I urge you to collaborate with us in good faith and compliance as we embark on this journey. We will continually provide updates as we build this industry, and we ask for your support and patience throughout the process”.

Gbajabiamila, in strong terms, emphasized that the Federal Government has declared a zero-tolerance stance against underage gambling, warning that any operator found enabling underage gambling will face severe sanctions, including fines and possible license revocation.

“There is zero tolerance for underage gambling,” Gbajabiamila stated. “Any operator caught allowing minors to participate will be penalized. We are building a gaming environment based on responsibility, regulation, and fairness.”

The Director General reassured stakeholders that the transition will not disrupt existing operations, stating that all valid licenses issued previously remain operational under the FCT Lottery Regulatory Office (FCT-LRO). He also clarified confusion surrounding digital platforms, including tech giants like Google, which had previously recognized licenses from a single state authority.

On his part, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Ango, lauded Gbajabiamila’s sentiments, affirming full support for the reforms and highlighting the potential of a well-regulated gaming sector to fuel economic growth.

 “Gaming is more than just recreation – it’s a tool for economic development if properly managed,” Ango said.

The FCT-IRS is developing mechanisms to verify the identity of participants through Tax Identification Numbers or other means of digital verification, with Ango stressing that anyone not registered or verifiable, especially minors, will be restricted.

The new regulatory initiative has been widely applauded by stakeholders, with many describing it as a timely move to ensure fairness, innovation, and long-term stability in Nigeria’s evolving gaming landscape.

 With the FCT now open to new investors under a transparent and structured regime, officials say Abuja is on course to become one of Africa’s premier entertainment and tourism destinations.

The development is expected to boost the FCT’s internally generated revenue and contribute to the economic growth and social benefits of the  Capital city.

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