The Nigerian Senate has approved another extension of the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, moving the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026.
The extension followed the passage of a bill sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, after lawmakers considered the legislation clause by clause during Tuesday’s plenary.
The bill, numbered SB 1067, seeks to amend the 2025 Appropriations (Repeal and Enactment) Act and give Ministries, Departments and Agencies additional time to complete ongoing capital projects and utilise appropriated funds.
Bamidele said the extension was necessary because the implementation of capital projects under the 2025 budget had not reached optimal levels despite the release of funds to MDAs.
The latest decision represents another extension of the lifespan of the 2025 capital budget. The National Assembly had previously moved the deadline from March 31 to June 30, and later to September 30, 2026, citing the need to complete ongoing projects and meet outstanding obligations.
With the latest amendment, funds appropriated under the capital component of the 2025 budget will remain available for implementation until December 31, 2026, subject to presidential assent.
The extension comes despite the Federal Government’s earlier pledge to end overlapping budget cycles and move towards a single revenue and budget cycle.
President Bola Tinubu had made the commitment while presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill in December 2025. However, previous extensions of the 2025 budget have been justified on the grounds that more time was required for MDAs to complete ongoing projects and maximise the use of released funds.
The Senate’s latest approval came as the National Assembly resumed plenary on Tuesday after an extended legislative recess. The 2025 capital budget will now remain open for implementation for an additional three months beyond the previous September 30 deadline.
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