**Budget Season Delays: NASS Reschedules Plenary** The National Assembly has postponed its resumption of plenary, leaving many lawmakers and Nigerians eagerly awaiting the 2026 budget defence process. According to insiders, the delay is due to incomplete work on the 2026 appropriation exercise, which has seen several ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) yet to present their budget defence to relevant committees. In a memo issued by the Acting Clerk of the House, Ibrahim Sidi, the postponement was confirmed. The leadership of the National Assembly has directed the postponement of plenary sitting to allow committees conclude their budget defence. Plenary, previously scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 24 February, will now reconvene on Thursday, 5 March at 11:00 a.m. This delay has sparked concerns about the timely completion of the budget process, which has significant implications for the country's economic development. Nigeria's budget season is a critical period for lawmakers to scrutinize and provide inputs on the government's spending proposals. The delay has also raised questions about the preparedness of the MDAs to present their budget defence, and the ability of the committees to complete their work on time. In a statement, the leadership of the National Assembly expressed regret over any inconvenience the change may cause and urged members to use the intervening period to refine their contributions and strengthen deliberations around the budget proposals. The resumption of plenary will also mark a valedictory session in honour of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who passed away last Thursday. Lawmakers are expected to pay tributes to the late senator during the special sitting. The delay in the budget process is a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in passing the country's budget. It highlights the need for effective coordination and collaboration between the MDAs and the National Assembly committees to ensure a smooth and timely completion of the budget process. As Nigerians await the resumption of plenary, they can only hope that the delay will not compromise the quality of the budget and its implementation.