Reps extend 2025 budget to December 31

The House of Representatives has once again granted a one-year extension to the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, pushing the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026. This extension came during Tuesday's plenary session, following a motion by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere. The 2025 capital budget, initially set to expire on December 31, 2025, will now be implemented for another full year.

The National Assembly initially extended the deadline to March 31, 2026, and subsequently to June 30 and September 30. This fourth extension occurred the day before the previous deadline ended. The House had approved the extension in June, citing the need to complete several capital projects under the 2025 budget. The Senate had also given its approval to the same extension.

With this decision, federal government ministries, departments, and agencies will have an additional three months to implement projects and utilize funds under the 2025 capital budget. These repeated extensions have allowed the 2025 capital budget implementation to proceed alongside the 2026 budget. The National Assembly initially extended the 2025 budget to March 31, 2026, in December 2025, with President Bola Tinubu stating that the move would facilitate the full release of capital implementation funds to ministries, departments, and agencies.

The presidency had earlier said the extension aimed to ensure the completion of critical infrastructure and development projects that were nearing completion.