Senate extends 2025 capital budget implementation deadline to December

Nigeria’s Senate has approved a fourth extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 budget, moving the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026. The resolution followed a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele after an executive session and clause-by-clause consideration at the Committee of Supply. The House of Representatives has also extended the deadline to December 31.

Bamidele said the additional time would allow agencies to complete capital projects for which funds had already been released. He said it would also support the completion of critical national projects at advanced stages and provide an administrative window for using approved allocations. The Senate Leader said the extension was intended to sustain economic activity, support local contractors, improve the use of released funds, raise budget performance and enhance public service delivery.

He stressed that the amendment did not introduce new projects. Bamidele said the measure should not be regarded as a relaxation of fiscal accountability, describing it as consistent with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The capital implementation period initially ended in December 2025.

It was subsequently extended to March 31, 2026, then June 30 and September 30 before the latest decision. During debate, the Deputy Senate President said the extension was needed to prevent the administration from leaving projects unfinished, including projects inherited from the Peoples Democratic Party government. The House approved its extension after an executive request from President Bola Tinubu, which sought more time for ministries, departments and agencies to complete infrastructure and other capital expenditures.

Lawmakers said the measure was also designed to prevent the abandonment of ongoing projects because of funding and implementation delays.