National Assembly extends 2025 capital budget deadline to December 2026

Nigeria’s National Assembly has approved a further extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, moving the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026. The Senate approved the measure after considering a bill sponsored by its leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. The House of Representatives also approved the extension during Tuesday’s plenary, following a motion by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere.

Bamidele said the amendment was needed because implementation of capital projects had not reached optimal levels, despite funds being released to ministries, departments and agencies. The extension is intended to help complete ongoing projects and utilise appropriated funds. The House’s decision represents the fourth extension of the capital budget’s implementation period.

The deadline had previously been moved from March 31 to June 30, 2026, and then to September 30. The latest extension means funds under the capital component will remain available until the end of December 2026, subject to President Bola Tinubu’s assent. The original implementation period was due to end on December 31, 2025.

The decision comes despite the Federal Government’s earlier pledge to end overlapping budget cycles. When presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill in December 2025, President Tinubu said the government would move towards a single revenue cycle. The government has previously justified extensions by citing the need to consolidate ongoing works, improve project completion rates and maximise public spending.

The Senate approved the bill on its first day back from an extended recess, which had been lengthened to allow rehabilitation work in the legislative chambers. The additional period gives agencies three more months beyond the September deadline to implement the 2025 capital budget.