N’Assembly extends 2025 budget for 4th time

On Tuesday, the National Assembly extended the implementation deadline for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, marking the fourth time lawmakers have prolonged the lifespan of the 2025 capital budget. The extension will now run until December 31, 2026, providing ministries, departments and agencies with additional time to complete ongoing projects.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the extension was necessary to accommodate factors such as procurement procedures and contract execution, which could impact the timely completion of capital projects. He warned that failing to extend the deadline could lead to administrative and legal difficulties for ministries, departments and agencies, as well as potential abandonment of projects.

The Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, cautioned against using the debate as a platform for political blame. The House of Representatives also extended the deadline for the fourth time, aligning it with the Senate's decision. Dr. Marcel Okeke, an expert economist, criticized the extension as "gross fiscal indiscipline," arguing that it distorts the purpose of annual appropriation laws and weakens public accountability.

Lawyers have also raised concerns about the legal and accountability implications of the repeated extensions, emphasizing the need for proper accounting of unspent appropriations and transparent budget implementation.