The National Assembly of Nigeria has extended the implementation deadline for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, 2026. This decision was made following an executive request for additional time to complete outstanding capital projects and utilise funds already appropriated and released. The extension marks the fourth adjustment to the implementation period of the 2025 capital budget.
The original deadline of December 31, 2025, was first moved to March 31, 2026, then to June 30, and subsequently to September 30. The lawmakers justified the additional period as necessary to prevent the expiration of the implementation window from affecting projects already captured in the 2025 budget. This move has sparked concerns about the government's ability to execute appropriated projects within approved timelines.
The Democratic and Leadership Alliance (DLA) has criticised the Federal Government over the National Assembly's decision to extend the implementation deadline. The party described the extension as evidence of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's failure to implement the national budget within the approved fiscal timeframe.
According to the DLA, the repeated extension represents a failure of fiscal planning and budget implementation under the Tinubu administration. The party argued that the decision undermines the principle of yearly budgeting and raises questions about the government's ability to execute appropriated projects within approved timelines.
The DLA also expressed concern that the 2024 budget had not been fully funded as of October 1, 2026, while little has been done on the 2026 budget. This has sparked concerns about the government's fiscal planning and budget implementation.
The Head, Media and Publicity for the DLA's National Campaign Council, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, signed a statement criticising the government's handling of the budget. The party urged the government to take concrete steps to address the issues and ensure that the 2025 budget is fully implemented by the new deadline.
The extension of the 2025 budget implementation deadline has significant implications for Nigeria's economy and development. The government's ability to execute appropriated projects within the approved timelines will be closely watched by stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, and international investors.
Key points
- The National Assembly has extended the 2025 budget implementation deadline to December 31, 2026.
- The Democratic and Leadership Alliance has criticised the government over the repeated extension of the budget implementation deadline.
- The 2024 budget had not been fully funded as of October 1, 2026, while little has been done on the 2026 budget.
