NASS Extends 2025 Capital Budget Implementation to December 2026
By Victor Idajili
The National Assembly on Tuesday extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget to December 31, 2026.
The Senate and the House of Representatives approved the extension, shifting the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026 the fourth extension for the 2025 capital budget.
In the Senate, the amendment bill was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central). Lawmakers passed it after a clause-by-clause consideration.
Bamidele said the extension was needed because MDAs were yet to achieve optimal implementation of capital projects despite funds released to them.
The bill is titled: A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriations (Repeal and Enactment) Act 2025 to Extend the Implementation of the Capital Aspect from September 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026 and for Related Matters (SB. 1067).
In the House of Representatives, the extension was approved after House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion to that effect at plenary.
Originally scheduled to lapse on December 31, 2025, the 2025 capital budget has now been rolled over by 12 months. It was first extended to March 31, 2026, then to June 30, and later to September 30.
The latest extension means MDAs can continue to spend from the 2025 capital vote until the end of 2026, once President Bola Tinubu assents to the amendment.
The development is at variance with the Federal Government’s promise to end overlapping budgets. Presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill in December 2025, President Tinubu had pledged to return to a single-year budget cycle.
The Presidency had previously defended the roll-overs as necessary to improve project completion, consolidate ongoing works and ensure value for money.
Tuesday’s approval was one of the first major actions of the Senate after resuming from a prolonged recess. The National Assembly had moved its resumption date from September 15 to September 29 to allow rehabilitation work in the chambers to be completed.
