President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill of N17.126 trillion into law.
The President signed the national budget on Friday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The appropriation bill was presented to the President by his Senior Special Assistant (Senate) on National Assembly Matters, Senator Babajide Omoworare.
While signing the budget, President Buhari was flanked by the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, also witnessed the signing of the budget.
This comes a week after lawmakers in the House of Representatives and Senate chambers of the National Assembly passed a budget of N17.126 trillion, increasing the benchmark price of crude from $57 to $62 per barrel.
During the plenary on Wednesday last week, the Senate had passed the 2022 budget while Senate President Lawan gave an assurance that the bill would be sent to the President for assent the following day.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives had also passed the budget last Tuesday. The National Assembly raised the total 2022 budget figure from the proposed N16.391 trillion to N17.126 trillion.
President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, had disclosed to Channels Television on Tuesday that the budget would be signed on Friday.
Newsmen had also obtained a communication addressed to the Presidency by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Ojo Amos, indicating that the bill had been transmitted by the National Assembly.
The document, with Reference Number NASS/CNA/37/Vol.1/35, suggested that the budget was transmitted last Friday and received by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President on Saturday.
It read, “In consonance with the Provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I wish, with due respect, to forward to Your Excellency, the authenticated copies of Appropriation Bill, 2022, for your consideration and assent.
“After Your Excellency’s assent, one copy of the signed bill should be retained in your office while the other two are to be returned for our further action, please.
“With my highest regards.”
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