The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Budget Reordering Bill.
The passage of the bill presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu followed the adoption of a report of the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.
Presenting the report at plenary, the Committee Chairman, Sa’ad Olumoh, said the reordering became necessary to correct imbalances in capital project implementation by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to him, while some MDAs have substantially implemented their capital allocations, others have recorded low performance, affecting service delivery and the overall 2026 budget performance.
He explained that the exercise will ensure a more focused capital investment, accelerate project delivery, and improve budget performance, which stood at 69 per cent as of June 30.
Recurrent revenue was put at 79 per cent; recurrent expenditure, 73 per cent; and capital expenditure, 66 per cent.
The committee said that priority would be given to critical sectors like transportation infrastructure, completion of hospital projects, housing, environmental sanitation and waste management as well as security and emergency equipment.
Following the adoption of the report, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa put the bill to a vote. It was unanimously passed.
In the revised budget, N2.076 trillion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure and N2.367 trillion for capital expenditure, bringing the total revised budget size to N4.444 trillion for the fiscal year.
Also yesterday, a Street Begging Prohibition Bill pending before the Assembly received the backing of atakeholders back Lagos Assembly’s prohibition bill.
Stakeholders at a public hearing by the Assembly said the proposed law is long overdue.
Chairman of the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA). Uchena Akingbade said street begging in the state menace that is particularly severe along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
She called for urgent action, including the possibility of declaring a state of emergency in flashpoints.
Akingbade urged the Assembly to avoid ambiguity in the bill, define clearly the provision on ‘prohibition of loitering for the purpose of begging,’ prescribe stiffer penalties for beggars found with dangerous weapons, and establish more rehabilitation centres.
Gbolahan Oki, who spoke on behalf of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, recalled the menace of area boys during the EndSARS period, noting that many offenders were undeterred by arrest because they believe they will be quickly released.
He advocated for a rehabilitation model where offenders are subjected to hard work and community service, referencing the Itekule concept where culprits produce bread and serve society.
Emmanuel Ikule, executive director of Elixir Trust Foundation, called for special attention to beggars with mental health challenges, citing cases at Pen Cinema and Ojodu-Berger where knives are allegedly used at night to extort residents.
Adigun Olalekan, who spoke for youths, supported the bill and lamented the influx of unidentified persons into Lagos daily.
Counselling psychologist, Mrs Suliat Olaniran, also decried the embarrassment caused by street begging at night, including alleged use of weapons to compel people to give money.
Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Abiodun Orekoya, said the bill recognises that street begging goes beyond public order, with security, socio-economic and child protection dimensions.
Orekoya said the response must be ‘firm and humane,’ protecting vulnerable children rather than merely punishing them, and ensuring enforcement respects fundamental rights under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.
Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, who represented Speaker Obasa, assured that the law is not intended to infringe on rights. She welcomed partnerships with the private sector.
The bill seeks to establish a comprehensive framework to address street begging, promote public safety, environmental sanity and child protection.
It also seeks to prohibit parents, guardians and custodians from using or allowing children to engage in street begging or hawking.
Under the proposal, children apprehended would be treated in line with the Lagos State Child Rights Law and referred to child welfare authorities.
The bill proposes a rehabilitation-centred approach: first-time offenders would be cautioned and taken to rehabilitation centres; second-time offenders risk a fine or up to three months imprisonment, while serial offenders could face up to two years imprisonment.
The rehabilitation package includes temporary care, vocational training, literacy, psychological counselling, life-skills and welfare support.
*12 confirmed for LGSC, LNSA, Audit Service Commission appointments(WRAP THIS UNDER THE SECOND LEAD)
The Assembly also screened and confirmed 12 nominees forwarded to it by Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for appointments into two commissions and an agency.
The confirmed nominees are Murusiq Durosimi and Ahmed Seriki for the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) as well as Yetunde Longe, Goriola Oyenusi, Bode Makinde, Adekunle Adelaja and Opeyemi Adetunji as board members of the Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA).
Others are Kikelomo Dawodu, Bukola Ogunowo, Omotayo Gbajabiamila-Olamona, Bowale Shosimi and Sunday Kappo for the State Audit Service Commission.