The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives have approved an extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act. The deadline has been moved from September 30 to December 31, 2026. This decision was made to enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to complete ongoing projects and utilize appropriated funds effectively.
The extension was achieved through a bill sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, which was passed after clause-by-clause consideration by lawmakers. Bamidele stated that the amendment was necessary due to the slow implementation of capital projects under the 2025 Appropriation Act, despite the release of funds to MDAs.
The bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriations (Repeal & Enactment) Act 2025," aims to extend the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act. This is the fourth time the implementation deadline has been extended, with the initial deadline being December 31, 2025.
The House of Representatives also extended the implementation deadline, following a motion moved by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere. The extension allows funds appropriated under the capital component of the 2025 budget to remain available for implementation until December 31, 2026, subject to the President's assent.
The Federal Government had previously justified extensions of the 2025 budget, citing the need to complete ongoing projects and ensure effective utilization of appropriated funds. In April, the Presidency stated that an earlier extension was intended to enable MDAs to consolidate ongoing works, improve project completion rates, and maximize value for public expenditure.
The extension comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government's pledge to end the practice of overlapping budgets. President Bola Tinubu had stated that the government would move away from multiple overlapping budget cycles and operate within a single revenue cycle when presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill in December 2025.
With the passage of the bill, the 2025 capital budget will now remain open for implementation for an additional three months beyond the September 30 deadline. The National Assembly had shifted its resumption from September 15 to September 29 to allow for the completion of rehabilitation works in the legislative chambers.
Key points
- The Nigerian National Assembly has extended the implementation deadline for the 2025 capital budget from September 30 to December 31, 2026.
- The extension aims to enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to complete ongoing projects and utilize appropriated funds effectively.
- This is the fourth time the implementation deadline for the 2025 capital budget has been extended.
